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October 31, 2002
The Evening Times
Scots star launches £2m Leukaemia fund
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HUNDREDS of bright red balloons lit up the Glasgow
sky today to launch a leukaemia fundraising campaign. |
Hollywood star Dougray Scott and Evening Times
columnist Johanna MacVicar, who is battling the disease, are heading
the appeal.
It aims to raise £2.25million for a Leukaemia Research Fund centre
at Gartnavel Hospital, bringing together scientists, clinicians and
patients under one roof.
The charity's chief executive, Douglas Osborne, said: "These are
exciting times for leukaemia research in Glasgow. The establishment of
this state of the art centre will ensure benefits reach patients as
quickly as possible."
LRF has already attracted famous supporters with a
donation of $100,000 (£66,000) from Dr Richard Rockefeller, part of
the fabulously wealthy American dynasty, who has chronic myeloid
leukaemia.
Dougray Scott got involved after meeting Johanna. He was inspired by
the 25-year-old from Bishopton, who helped him prepare for his role as a
leukaemia patient in the movie Ripley's Game, due out next year.
He said: "After meeting Johanna I wanted to be positive and
realistic in portraying leukaemia."
| For Johanna, the centre is an important step in
tackling the disease which she has battled since the age of 16.
"To have all these specialists together under the one roof
will be fabulous," she said. |
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Strathclyde Police constable Stephen McIntosh, left
with Johanna, joined the bone marrow register after learning of her
plight. The officer based at Gorbals said: "After reading
Johanna's story I had to help."
- For information on LRF phone Pamela Stephenson on 0141 330 4951.
©2002 Evening Times
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