21 November 2008

Dancing for Diabetes Ball notice

To all our supporters of the Diabetes Research Campaign

It is with great regret that the University of Dundee at this time is unable to host the Dancing for Diabetes ball on March 6th 2009 at the Fairmont Hotel and Golf Resort, St Andrews.

Reaching this decision has been difficult as the event has attracted much interest. However, due to the worsening global financial crisis and despite a vigorous and sustained campaign to attract sponsorship to ensure the viability of the event, we are unable to proceed. It is our intention to monitor external economic factors and evaluate whether we can host the ball at a date later in 2009 or 2010.

The University’s Diabetes Research Campaign to raise £3m will continue. We have already raised more than £2m which will enable us to develop new clinical research facilities across Tayside and fit out and equip a translational clinical research laboratory to accelerate the development of new treatments.

We are now intent on concentrating our resources towards raising the last £1m to create a new research team dedicated to investigating the causes of Type 1 (childhood) diabetes to work alongside our internationally renowned scientists in our College of Life Sciences.

Our sincerest thanks again to all those who had expressed interest and provided support for the ball event as well as for the University’s diabetes research appeal.

If you would like to help us meet our target and wish to find out more about our campaign, especially the latest news on research and events, please visit www.dundee.ac.uk/drc or contact j.concannon@dundee.ac.uk

Thank you

Joan Concannon
Director of External Relations
University of Dundee

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk