Many have heard me talk about foetal tissue research(FTR) and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I am absolutely fascinated by the work being done in cerebellar growth and what has been learned so far from this research.
Yesterday, a major funding announcement for FTR was made. I am so excited about this announcement and the impact it has on our cavaliers. A grant like this ensures that further research into chiari malformation and syringomyelia can be completed. This research not only impacts our dogs, it also greatly benefits humans who suffer from CM and SM as well.
Sheena Stevens has given me permission to cross post a message she wrote yesterday on Cavalier Chat.
Do you remember a while back I said I hoped to have something exciting to say in relation to the FTR? Well … this is it …
The Wellcome Trust are granting £400,000 (and yes, I have counted the zeros) for an Integrated Veterinary Training Fellowship over a period of six years. The candidate had her interview last week, and the news came through today. It’s a very prestigious award for one of Dr McGonnell’s students, and she, Dr McGonnell, Dr Holger Volk and Dr Albert Basson of King’s College, London, will be involved in studying cerebellar growth.
So … now you know. I know it sounds dry and possibly unexciting – as ever, it’s possibly the way I tell them. But I can’t stop smiling. Dr McGonnell is delighted and remarked on what a long way we’ve come since we started … yes, we have.
And it’s all down to those who’ve donated tissue. You know who you are. You know you deserve the gratitude for going that extra mile. You know you want to help the breed, and you know you’re continuing to do it.
THANK YOU.
Sheena Stevens
Very incredible news for our breed.
Thank you to The Wellcome Trust for seeing the potential in FTR research and hopefully ensuring its future successes.
Thank you to all the Cavalier breeders in the UK that have made FTR research possible by donating deceased whelps and companions who have passed on. I can’t imagine how hard it is to make that decision.
Lastly thank you to Sheena Stevens for your tireless efforts and dedication to this breed. The Cavalier is lucky to have you.
The Cavalier’s future is looking brighter than ever.
Seen this on Twitter 🙂 amazing news!
great news! and lovey pictures!