Tánaiste backs call for All-Island Cancer Institute

Posted 1 May, 2024 An Tánaiste Micheál Martin has called for an All-Island Cancer Institute, stating initiatives such as the All-Island Cancer Research Institute (AICRI) , a partnership of 10 universities which UCD co-leads, has shown a cross-border approach to cancer can deliver better outcomes for patients. Citing the hugely successful 'Ireland-Northern Ireland-US National Cancer Institute Cancer Consortium', which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, the Tánaiste said he favoured the establishment of an All-Island Cancer Institute while speaking at the inaugural Joint Euro-American Forum on Cancer at Farmleigh House. Echoing the sentiment, Professor William Gallagher , Professor of Cancer Biology at UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Sciences , and co-lead of AICRI, said he "wholeheartedly agree with the Tánaiste's call for an All-Island Cancer Institute". "Our work in AICRI has demonstrated the benefit of working together on a cross-border basis. Projects such as AICRIstart, funded through the Shared Island-funded North South Research Programme, emphasise the importance of collaborative research. Critical areas of all'island partnership should encompass cancer biobanking, cross-border cancer clinical trials, and survivorship research." Support for All-Island Cancer Institute was also raised by Professor Deirdre Heenan, Ulster University, and Professor Mark Lawler, Queen's University Belfast and Co-Lead of AICRI at the forum, as they jointly launched the 'Cancer Knows No Borders - an all'island blueprint for cancer research and care' at the conference.