The new University of Leicester British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Research Centre (CRC) will be officially opened on Wednesday 11 June 2014 by Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Robert Burgess.
The multi-million pound facility at Leicester's Glenfield Hospital brings together scientists, doctors and patients with the aim of improving the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases which kill more than 160,000 people in the UK annually.
The CRC was made possible through generous philanthropic support from the British Heart Foundation, the Wolfson Foundation and the Edith Murphy Foundation. A £500,000 gift from leading local donor David Wilson and the generous support of individuals, groups, associations and companies from across local communities in the city and county for the £1 million public phase of the fundraising appeal ensured the completion and equipping of the state-of-the-art Centre.
Director of Development, Steve O'Connor said: "The Cardiovascular Research Centre will deliver a step change in cardiovascular research capacity that will improve the health and life expectancy of patients and the public in Leicester, the UK and ultimately worldwide. The generosity of our supporters exceeded our expectations and helped to raise more than £5 million in total for the CRC Appeal and we cannot thank them enough for their commitment and support."
The CRC also helped to secure the University's biggest ever single philanthropic donation of £7 million from The John and Lucille van Geest Foundation. This tremendous gift established 'The van Geest Foundation Heart and Cardiovascular Diseases Research Fund' and funded a Biomarker Facility adjacent to the CRC which will also be officially opened on Wednesday.
Research into heart disease has been a major focus within the University of Leicester's Medical School since its inception and the research team comprises of world-class investigators with an international reputation in research into the causes and treatment of the most common types of heart disease.
The new facility is the first four-storey building at Glenfield Hospital and adjoins the existing Clinical Sciences wing which houses the University's medical research and teaching facilities. The 2,200m² eye catching building will further strengthen and consolidate Leicester's position as a leading international centre for heart research, thanks to the successful collaboration between the University of Leicester and University Hospitals Leicester.
Head of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Leicester and British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiology, Professor Nilesh Samani said: "The new building is enabling us to bring together cardiovascular research teams to work collaboratively to push the boundaries of research and to attract new outstanding researchers to Leicester. Advanced IT systems and specialist equipment will enable revolutionary research which will speed the translation from bench to bedside to benefit the thousands of families and patients whose lives have been affected by cardiovascular disease. I am very proud of the way that the local community have really taken this project to their heart and supported the creation of this wonderful facility."
Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation added: "By creating this unique facility we are bringing together internationally renowned heart scientists who will carry out cutting-edge research to help beat cardiovascular disease for good.
"They will work to understand who is at risk of these conditions and will help find new and innovative ways to prevent and control them, potentially saving thousands of lives. The new Leicester facility will also provide outstanding training for the next generation of researchers who will make the life-saving breakthroughs of the future.
"None of this would be possible without the generosity of our supporters whose donations allow scientists to carry on this vital work up and down the UK."
The work of the CRC will also benefit from the University's investment in a new £42 million Centre for Medicine. Set to open in autumn 2015, the cutting-edge facility will act as central hub for medical teaching and applied research, linking research centres such as the CRC, local hospitals and Leicester Medical School. By providing a teaching environment which is truly research-led and also firmly focused on patient needs, it will meet the increasing challenge of training tomorrow's doctors and help to translate research breakthroughs especially in chronic disease, from laboratory to hospital.
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