The parents of Kitty Cameron, the Edinburgh University student who died two years ago of a brain tumour, have raised enough money to fund a PhD student in Surgery and Molecular Oncology to further research into cancer.
Elizabeth and Reverend Peter Cameron decided to raise money to contribute to the worldclass cancer research taking place under Professor Sir David Lane and Dr Sonia Lain in Ninewells.
When he received the kind offer of £25,000 Professor Lane identified PhD student Susie Camus who is researching tumours as a good recipient of the research funds. Susie is looking at ways of activating the tumour suppressor protein P53 - which David Lane discovered - without using DNA damaging chemotherapy.
Kitty Cameron died in April 2001 aged twenty. Kitty's tumour had reappeared after undergoing radiotherapy the previous year. The PhD funding marks the second anniversary of Kitty's death. Susie Camus, the PhD student studying tumours said: "With this funding I feel I can use my research to help people in Kitty's situation. It is marvellous that Kitty's parents have channelled their energies into raising money for cancer research which actively tackles and works to prevent tragic deaths from cancer like Kitty's."
Elizabeth and Peter Cameron raised the money from kind donations from Peter's parishes - St Andrews Strathtay and St Mary's Birnam. They also received generous donations from the general public. Elizabeth Cameron said: "Kitty gave us the greatest joy. No medicine was able to save her. It is difficult to accept that she can no longer come home. We are delighted that a young student of Susie's immense capabilities will lay another paving stone on the path to a cancer cure."
The Kitty Cameron memorial fund is still open for donations. The Camerons have more fund raising events planned including a garden opening at the Birnam and Dunkeld arts festival organised by Dr Jan Silburn, Kitty Cameron's local GP on 28th and 29th June. Donations can be made by calling Grant Fleming on 01382 818479.