BACKGROUND | REASON | OUR GOAL | HOW CAN YOU HELP?

OUR BACKGROUND
For the first three years the CDRF was primarily funded from "one-off"donations from the biotech sector. More recently it has started it’s own fund raising campaign targeting UK companies, grant-making trusts and organizing fund raising events.
At the beginning of the year our patron, Lord Simon Haskel, hosted a dinner at the House of Lords with Clive Anderson as our guest speaker. In September Cherie Blair is hosting a cocktail evening at 10 Downing Street on behalf of the CDRF.

REASON
Most large charities give a small proportion of their funds towards some research into genetics, but this is rarely of sufficient size or duration to be effective. Other smaller charities fund research into rare genetic diseases that run in a few unfortunate families, but no group comprehensively focuses on the genetics of common disorders, which have been often considered as ‘uninteresting’ in the past.
The CDRF therefore fills a void, not filled by charity or government funds which together with the unique natural resource of twins is a combination that can unravel many of the mysteries of common diseases and lead to improved treatment.

OUR GOAL
within the next two years we aim to;

1. Fund at least one research fellowship for three years for a scientist. This will enable us to carry out further research projects.

2. Fund targeted novel projects for industry - e.g. study of the genetics of hearing loss for a telecommunications co, or study repetitive strain injury for a computer co.

3. Fund new genetic laboratory equipment for gene discovery such as a gene sequencer.

4. Fund projects for individuals or charitable foundations – perhaps in new areas not previously explored

5. Fund a dedicated MRI scanner which will enable us to perform the back pain study, as well as many other studies such as knee and hip arthritis, obesity and dementia. We have previously relied on using shared NHS resources, which is becoming more difficult. Over the last five years, the TRU, with help from the CDRF, has examined over 2000 twin pairs and made important discoveries, namely that most common diseases such as; obesity, heart disease, asthma, back pain, disk disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, acne, short-sightedness and cataracts, are strongly influenced by genetic factors. Many of these diseases were previously thought to be mainly influenced by environment and lifestyle. With the limited resources received, our research has gone a long way. The world of genetics is changing fast with the publication of the first draft of the human genome project containing about 80,000 genes. It will be many years however until we know which of these genes are responsible for the major diseases. With a major financial input, the impact of our future work could be dramatic on understanding the common diseases of ageing.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
1. pledging direct support
2. influencing others to support us
3. organizing fund-raising events
4. funding specific targeted research projects
5. Giving your time, experience and advice

Please make cheques payable to: Chronic Disease Research Foundation