Health

New sequencing machine at CUH speeds up treatment options for cancer patients

Machine was the most expensive item the CUH charity has ever bought

Cancer survivors Sylvia McHenry (left), and Miriam Healy, who raised almost €50,000 to help secure the Ion Torrent Sequencer for Cork University Hospital, through Cork Pink Week fundraising events. Photograph: Colm Lougheed.

Aine Kenny
Sun Oct 10 2021 - 12:36

Two cancer survivors have part-funded a machine for Cork University Hospital (CUH) which helps speed up treatment options for cancer patients.

The Ion Torrent Genexus sequencer is the first of its kind in Ireland and cost €550,000.

The machine can identify the DNA profiles of cancers. These profiles are then used to determine the best type of treatment.

In 2019, almost €50,000 was raised during Cork Pink Week, which was organised by friends Miriam Healy and Sylvia McHenry, both of whom survived breast cancer.

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Other cancer patients in the hospital also donated to the fundraising drive which enabled the CUH Charity to buy the Ion Torrent Genexus sequencer.

The machine uses sequencing to help speed up cancer testing, enabling patients to start their therapies and clinical trials earlier.

Previously, this profiling had to be done in the UK. During Covid, it could take up to eight weeks for results to come back. Using the new machine, these results can be delivered within 24 hours by CUH.

The machine is the single most expensive piece of equipment bought by the CUH Charity.

The remain funds came from a number of sources, including the Karen Fenton Ovarian Cancer Fund, which raised €80,000 in memory of Karen Fenton, who spent her final weeks in CUH before her death in 2017 aged 43.

Mick McCourt, along with his family, friends and work colleagues from McAfee also raised more than €64,000 in memory of his wife Aileen, who died in 2018.

Ms Healy said she and Ms McHenry, wanted to raise awareness of breast cancer.

“Breast cancer hits all ages and is affecting people younger than the breast check age of 50,” she said. “We met with the CUH Charity and consultants in the hospital to find out what they needed and what could really benefit patients.”

In 2019, they launched Cork Pink Week, organising a Business Breakfast and Pink Lunch at Collins Barrack.

“CUH have made us feel a part of the whole process on behalf of the people of Cork, who donate so generously to Cork Pink Week,” said Ms McHenry.

“The Ion Torrent Sequencer is a tangible benefit to people in the region. It also allows people who have recovered to be tested to investigate the likelihood of their cancer recurring.”

Prof Seamus O’Reilly of CUH said the sequencer will make a huge difference to patients. “The spirit of such events has been incredibly uplifting and morale boosting to all of us who have the privilege of helping cancer patients,” he said.

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