A man whose wife has breast cancer has donated £10 million to the University of Cambridge to support research aimed at finding future treatments. Andrew Barnes, a businessman from New Zealand, has donated to help create the Charlotte Lockhart Precision Breast Cancer Institute, named after his partner, who has had stage 4 breast cancer since 2021.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!
According to The Times , Andrew Barnes summed up the reason behind his donation in a deeply personal statement: "My wife is dying of breast cancer, so I donated £10m to Cambridge researchers."
Diagnosis that made an impact
In 2004, Charlotte Lockhart was diagnosed with breast cancer; she underwent treatment successfully. However, years later, in 2021, Charlotte found out that the cancer had recurred as stage 4 breast cancer – meaning that it had spread to other parts of the body. Although treatments can help keep the cancer at bay, currently, there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer.
Speaking about the moment when they got diagnosed, Barnes stated that it felt like “the ground fell out from beneath us.”
“You think about the family, the grandchildren, all the things you still want to share together,” he said.
Research that may influence the future treatment options
The funding will support the creation of the Charlotte Lockhart Precision Breast Cancer Institute at the University of Cambridge.
The centre will be headed by Professor Jean Abraham, who holds a position as Professor of Precision Breast Cancer Medicine at the University of Cambridge and Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The university says the research group uses genomic, molecular and clinical information, together with artificial intelligence, to develop personalised treatment approaches to breast cancer.
Rather than relying on one approach, scientists study each patient’s cancer to help choose the best treatment.
‘Cancer does not respect borders’
Barnes, who studied at Selwyn College, Cambridge, said his time at the university and its research convinced him that the donation could have a lasting impact worldwide.
“As someone who studied at Cambridge, I know what a very special place it is,” he said. He further added that the cancer research conducted at the university is “world-beating” and hopes that the contribution will be helpful for patients suffering from cancer, not only in Britain but also in New Zealand and elsewhere throughout the world.
“Cancer does not respect borders, and it’s up to us to work collectively to help accelerate a solution that will help us all,” Barnes said.
The donation is coming through the Barnes Lockhart September Giving Trust.
‘Good health window’ living
However, despite suffering from cancer at an advanced stage, Lockhart said she feels that she is in a good health window due to my treatments. Apart from advocating for medicines for those diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer since 2021, she has been active in discussing access to medication for them.
“The sort of diagnosis that stops time,” is how she described learning that her cancer had returned. According to her, the diagnosis has changed how she spends her energy, and she hopes the new institute will help deliver better outcomes for future patients. “I am grateful for the gift of time that medication has given me, and I know that the institute will deliver extraordinary outcomes for people diagnosed with breast cancer in the future,” she said.
Importance of precision medicine
Reportedly, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the UK, but it can also occur in men. Precision medicine and genome research have led to more personalized approaches by medical professionals in treating patients, depending on the biological nature of their disease.
The institute aims to achieve this through technology, data analysis, and other tools.
