Kick Start CUH Cancer Diagnosis Machine

Project Report | Aug 1, 2022
Cancer Sequencing Fundraising Update - Jul 2022

By Martin Fenton | Treasurer, Karen Fenton Ovarian Cancer Fund

Plaque for CUH

The Genexus machine was purchased and commissioned in 2021 for Cork University Hospital with the help of a significant donation of €80k from the fundraising efforts from the Fenton family and the Karen Fenton Ovarian Cancer Fund. The significant funds raised have been the culmination of a number of years of fundraising through events such as the Karen Fenton Memorial Run and also through this GlobalGiving platform. The intent is to continue to raise funds for ovarian cancer research and continue to provide support to CUH and cancer services in the Cork region. We will continue with the annual Karen Fenton Memorial Run for example.

So far we have raised over €140,000 and we donated €80,000 portion of these funds to CUH to purchase the "Genexus Integrated Sequencer” in Cork. The machine will leave a lasting legacy to cancer patients in the Cork and wider Munster region. In July 2022 some of the Fenton family met with CUH for a photo cheque presentation (Covid challenges has delayed this) and to provide an opportunity to see the machine and to hear from Dr. Dearbhaile Collins and from Reiltin Werner who manages the lab and uses the machine day to day.

It was great to see the machine and to hear how our fundraising efforts are now benefiting cancer patients in the Munster region. Reiltin and Dearbhaile explained about the time saved analysing cancer mutations (results in 24 hours after sample prepared, then Reiltin and lab can review and prepare report for the doctors, before it could be 3/4 to 6 weeks to get results from Dublin or UK). Dearbhaile indicated that she can have results before she meets with patients and can prescribe targeted and more precise treatments.

As things stand the machine is being used mainly for lung cancer given the significant number of mutations and the greater accuracy in determination of treatments based on these different mutations but is used for others also and CUH will continue to expand the use of it.

We are pleased that our fundraising efforts will help to leave a lasting legacy for Karen who spent much of the final 2 months of her life at CUH.

Fentons outside CUH with CUH staff

Fentons at Genexus machine CUH

David Fenton with Genuxus machine

Genexus machine CUH

Genexus prep machine CUH

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Apr 14, 2022
Cancer Sequencing Fundraising Update - Apr 2022

By Martin Fenton | Treasurer, Karen Fenton Ovarian Cancer Fund

Dec 28, 2021
Cancer Sequencing Fundraising Update - Dec 2021

By Martin Fenton | Treasurer, Karen Fenton Ovarian Cancer Fund

Since Karen Fenton passd away in April 2017 from Ovarian Cancer we have been fundraising to raise awareness and to help others who may be ill with this terrible disease. We raised over €80,000 for our largest donation to CUH. So our efforts culminated with the resulting purchase of the “Ion Torrent Genexus Integrated Sequener” for CUH in Cork, where Karen spent much of the final 2 months of her life. The machine has now been commissioned and it already starting to leave a lasting legacy to cancer patients in the Cork and wider Munster region.

Unfortunately due to Covid-19 pandemic we have been unable to meet for a photoshoot with CUHC following this significant purchase. However, we are now making significant progress working with our contact points in CUHC in order to establish a plan for socializing the purchase of the machine. Meantime, for us at least, the difference the machine is making is providing some confort to us.

The machine is operating under the expert guidance of Medical Oncologist Dr. Dearbhaile Collins and Clinical Director for Cancer Services, Dr. Richard Bambury. Dr. Collins specialises in gynaecological malignancies, including Ovarian Cancer. This state of the art technology will analyse cancer mutations and find new “precise” treatments for patients.

Project work has been limited somewhat lately as a result of Covid. We continued to work with CUH in April 2021 we hosted a very successful Karen Fenton Virtual 5k Run (as an alternative to the normal 5K memorial run). We will continue to raise funds which we will hold and put towards research and/or supporting ongoing costs for the machine. We have started planning for the annual Karen Fenton Memorial Run which has been scheduled for April 10, 2021.

Thanks to everyone for your continuing support.

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