This week local MP Mark Pawsey showed his support for UK medical research by joining British Heart Foundation (BHF) scientists and heart patients to hear how research is helping to save and improve the lives of the millions of people affected by heart disease.
At an event in Westminster, Mark spoke with heart patients and BHF-funded researchers to learn more about the latest research projects, the hope they offer to people with heart conditions and why government support is vital.
Speaking at the event Mark said:
“Heart disease is a devastating condition that affects thousands of people across Rugby and Bulkington.”
Mark continued:
“But with the public’s support, charities like the BHF are able to fund some of the world’s leading researchers, who work tirelessly to find the next major breakthrough that could help save more lives.”
Mark concluded:
“If we are to continue making great strides in heart research both the public, including people in Rugby and Bulkington, and the Government need to support our brightest scientists. That is why I am proud that the Government has backed one of Britain's greatest successes, our word leading research base, and that it ring-fenced the science budget.”
The BHF is the largest independent funder of cardiovascular research and spends around £100 million every year on world class research to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
The charity sector is by far the largest funder of life sciences research in our universities and every year the Government contributes £198 million towards the indirect costs, such as heating and electricity in laboratories, of charity-funded research. But this figure falls short of covering all the costs of undertaking life saving research.
Find out more about the vital work carried out by our researchers at https://www.bhf.org.uk/research.