The Christie Charity
Press release posted 13 March 2024
The Christie has won Bionow’s 2023 Social Impact Award for their redistribution of more than 10,000 pieces of surplus clinical trial equipment from research teams in the trust to around 100 clinics in Africa.
The team worked closely with InterCare on the project. InterCare is a not-for-profit organisation that has been providing vital medical care and training to clinics across sub-Saharan Africa for over 50 years.
To win, they had to show the significance of what they did, the scale of the impact, and how that positive change will be sustained.
Driven by Dr Donna Graham (Consultant) Emma Darlington (Research Manager) and Lisa Maushagan (Senior Data Manager) in the Experimental Cancer Medicine Team, the project came to pass after an audit showed that excess supplies were being thrown away, which has an environmental, social, and financial cost.
In addition to the partnership with InterCare, other things they’re doing to reduce their environmental impact include collaborating with industry partners and establishing a clinical trials sustainability working group at The Christie. They are also developing an open-access online tool for other clinical trial sites to establish their carbon footprint score.
“I’m so glad that we have been able to make a difference in this way,” comments Emma Darlington. “We have been able to make sure that this excess trial equipment is being put to good use, while also reducing our impact on the environment. We are continuing to take a proactive approach to social and environmental sustainability. We’ve shared what we’ve learnt with other hospitals across the country, and the kit redistribution scheme has already been extended to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.”