The annual black-tie Valentine’s Ball in aid of Breast Cancer Research takes place on Saturday 18^th February in the Ardilaun Hotel, Taylor’s Hill.The evening will commence with a reception featuring the Regina Rogers dancers and music by the Galway Guinness Jazz Band. Guests will enjoy a five-course meal, as well as an auction and table prizes, followed by music from The Lewd Tunes and DJ Kevin Belton.Every year in Ireland over 2,800 women are diagnosed with and 700 women die from breast cancer, and more than 1 in 10 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute, which aims to increase awareness, improve access to treatment, and conduct international class research into breast cancer.

The institute was founded in Galway in 1992 by Professor HF Given, Anna O’Coinne and Mr. Tom Joyce, and launched by the President of Ireland, Mary Robinson.  Since then, the institute, now known as Breast Cancer Research, has:

• Supported 194 academic research publications
• Supported 69 undergraduate medical students
• Supported 47 postgraduate students
• Established the Breast Cancer Biobank and Clinical Database, a vital resource for researchers
• Made huge advances in developing a personalised approach to each patient
• Supported the development of the Symptomatic Breast Unit in GUH, where over 100,000 patients have been seen since 2008.

Professor Michael Kerin, current Research Director for Breast Cancer Research, stressed the importance of research in improving the outcome for patients. “All the best centres have research programmes, and we are very proud of the contribution Breast Cancer Research is making to new knowledge and better treatments for patients. Examples of our current research include identification of the genes that cause breast cancer, discovering circulating biomarkers, improving the types of reconstruction, and identifying factors that increase risk of recurrence.” He thanked those who have contributed to the programme over the years and promised that it would continue to remain patient-focused.

Tickets for the Valentine’s Ball cost €100 per person, and can be purchased in advance through the Breast Cancer Research office on 091-863917. All proceeds from the night will go towards funding the vital work of Breast Cancer Research, a world-class resource which is based locally in the Lambe Institute, University Hospital, Galway.

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