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Solve: Research at Cardiff University
Research at Cardiff University has a far reaching impact on society. Support from the University, alumni and friends has allowed our researchers to pursue their ideas and in doing so make a real difference in their areas of expertise. Without the support of people like you, some of the breakthroughs mentioned below may never have come to fruition.
European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute
Help us discover new ways to detect and monitor cancer and new cancer therapies
Fundraising in memory of Marcia Phillips
Nick Phillips has raised over £40,000 for cancer research at Cardiff University in memory of his wife Marcia, who tragically died of bowel cancer at the age of only 45. The donations support the research of Professor Alan Clarke and Professor Julian Sampson at the European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute (ECSCRI) at Cardiff.
Nick raised the funds through his registered charities, Bowel Cancer Wales and Cancer Research & Genetics UK, which campaign for increased awareness, earlier screenings, and improvements in cancer care in the UK.
He says: “Since we lost Marcia, I've devoted my life to helping others going through the same thing. I'm glad to be supporting cancer research at Cardiff; I’ve met the researchers a few times now and am impressed by the developments.”
Sponsored run by Anna Calnan
One dedicated staff member at the School of Biosciences also raised money for bowel cancer research in October 2012: Anna Calnan completed the Cardiff Half Marathon in under two and a half hours, despite battling an injury at the time, raising just under £1,000 in sponsorship for research.
Further links: European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute | Tenby Tangent Club Sponsored Walk 2012 | Library Services Sponsored Walk 2012 | The Saab Wales Open 2011 | The Sian Griffiths Memorial Fund
How to give to research at Cardiff
Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute
Help us develop a deeper understanding of major psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders including autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disease, Alzheimer's, Huntingdon's, and Parkinson's disease
Gareth Edwards
Gareth Edwards, Welsh and British Lions rugby legend, helped boost the University’s world-leading Alzheimer’s research with his sixth annual celebrity charity golf day at the Celtic Manor Resort in September 2012, raising £5,500.
Professor Julie Williams, who leads Alzheimer’s research at the University's MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, said she was enormously grateful: “It makes our fight to discover the causes of dementia easier. We have a lot of work to do and need all the help we can get.” Read more online
Fiona Phillips
Journalist, TV presenter and Alzheimer's campaigner, Fiona Phillips, hailed the "amazing progress" of Research Institute scientists in working towards a cure for Alzheimer's. Fiona visited the Institute in July 2011 and learned about the latest discovery by Professor Julie Williams (pictured, right), who recently identified five new genes which increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
Further links: Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute | Hope for Alzheimer's | Brain Awareness Week
How to give to research at Cardiff
Sustainable Places Research Institute
Help us build sustainable ways of living for future generations, and find solutions to the enormous environmental and social challenges facing humanity worldwide
Recent updates: Last summer the Institute joined The Size of Wales project, which aims to sustain an area of rainforest the size of Wales by purchasing tree seedlings, funding rangers, and supporting local people while lobbying for land ownership and management rights. Professor Susan Baker said: "It's an exciting time to become a supporting member; in the face of a changing climate, managing tropical forests sustainably will become increasingly important."
Funded by the Welsh Crucible, researchers in the Institute have also been tackling laboratory waste: "Our estimates suggest that a department of 50 people generates in excess of ten tonnes of waste each year," said Dr Paul Brennan. "This is either incinerated or ends up as landfill. Whilst packaging is often recycled, the majority of items used in the laboratory are not. We want to change this."
Further info: Sustainable Places Research Institute | Local business supports lecture series | How to give to research at Cardiff
Further research at Cardiff University
Other research at Cardiff explores our cultural world, from heritage to religion, literature to architecture, as well as the conservation of endangered species and climate change. 
We seek to enrich lives as well as to save them with our research, and certain special projects include:
Do you have a special passion or a favourite area of research which you would like to support? Email donate@cardiff.ac.uk, call us on 029 2087 6473, or donate online. Thank you.