Freemasons donate to Institute of Cancer Research

Parachute
Regiment
Lodge
9315

WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?

One of the oldest secular social and charitable organisations in the world, modern Freemasonry’s roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our castles and cathedrals…

The lodge has held several social events such as witnessing the Tower of London Keys ceremony a lady’s festival at a hotel usually outside of London that provides opportunity for our families to enjoy the company that these types of events provide. Importantly we maintain links with the regiment and serving soldiers.

EVENTS

Delve into the rich traditions of Freemasonry as we gather to celebrate our shared values and principles

WHERE WE MEET

Our meetings are held on the 1st Saturday of March, June, September and December, at 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ. they usually start at 11am thus providing members ample time to travel to London to join the meetings. The June meeting is the installation meeting.

ABOUT

The Parachute Regiment Lodge was consecrated on 5th June 1989. Though named for our Regiment the decision was taken not to restrict membership to serving or former members, though the majority do fit that criteria. Our membership is drawn from a wide range of military, security and civilian backgrounds who all adopt our ethos, to be the best in all that we do…

ARENA

Engage in enlightening discussions, partake in meaningful rituals, and forge lasting connections with fellow brethren

The Freemasons’ Grand Charity has donated to The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) to develop a blood test for childhood cancer. The grant of £72,000 will fund a project to help researchers understand more about the biology of children’s cancers. The aim is to develop simpler tests that will remove the need for painful tumour biopsies and lead to more effective and kinder treatments for children.

Currently, children still tend to be treated with nonspecific and toxic chemotherapy drugs, originally designed for adults.

The ICR has been working with Christopher’s Smile, to help develop better targeted treatments. In 2013 Christopher’s Smile funded a Paediatric Molecular Pathologist at the ICR, to identify the most appropriate children for clinical trials. More recently, the charity funded research to investigate biological features and genes involved in childhood cancer.

Professor Louis Chesler, from The Institute of Cancer Research, London said: “Here at The Institute of Cancer Research we are working on safer and kinder treatments for children with cancer – that we are able to do so is in no small part thanks to our donors. This award from the Freemasons’ Grand Charity will help us to develop tests that will help researchers understand the genetic make-up of a child’s cancer. We are enormously grateful for this support.”

Laura Chapman, Chief Executive of The Freemasons’ Grand Charity, said: “Childhood cancers are the principal cause of death from disease between infancy and adulthood, with 1,600 children diagnosed each year in the UK. Statistics show that 70-80% of children survive but many will suffer from side-effects and in some cases, life-changing disabilities. This vital research is a step towards discovering vital information that will hopefully limit the debilitating effects this disease has on children.”