Cardiovascular researchers welcomed around 40 participants to enjoy afternoon tea in the sunshine among the blossoms and summer scents from the flower beds of Glenfield Hospital’s Secret Garden this week.
Among them were UHL Chief Executive, Richard Mitchell and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Nishan Canagarajah (pictured above with Professor Gerry McCann centre).
Led by Professor of Cardiac Imaging Gerry McCann, the Cardiovascular research team thanked the invited guests for taking part in NIHR Leicester BRC research over the last two years, including world leading studies into stroke, peripheral arterial disease, heart failure and its links with diabetes.
This event was part of our Half Time celebrations.
As participants, Richard Mitchell had provided a genetic sample to the NIHR BioResource, while Professor Nishan Canagarajah recently took part as a healthy ‘control’ in PREDICT – a study investigating cardiovascular dysfunction in adults with type 2 diabetes, led by Professor Gerry McCann.
The guests heard that they were just a handful of the 5,000 participants who had chosen to be part of 175 cardiovascular research studies in Leicester over the last two and a half years.
Richard Mitchell said: “What I’ve heard today about the research taking place in the BRC makes me incredibly proud, but also energised and optimistic about the future.”
Professor Canagarajah added: “I’m incredibly proud of what has been achieved in such a short time, knowing that the relationship between the University and the Trust has been pivotal to this success. I would also like to thank all of the participants here today for their continued willingness to be part of what we do.”
Guest Georgina, who has helped shape the format and nature of the research by participating in public involvement activity also spoke, sharing; “By getting involved I can help other people from my community and my church – by asking questions not just for me, but for them too.”
Professor Gerry McCann added: “Today’s event was a thank you to the participants who are central to our work. Without their willingness to shape and take part in our research studies, we simply wouldn’t be able to make the discoveries that are leading to potential new treatments, diagnostics and technologies from here in Leicester.”
For more on the work of our Cardiovascular theme, click here
For more on the PREDICT study, click here.
To get involved in research, read more on our public involvement pages.