Maltese researchers have received a boost in their efforts to treat cancer in children thanks to a fundraising cycling challenge taking place in July.

Cancer affects 10 children in Malta every year, according to consultant paediatric oncologist, Dr Victor Calvagna, who is also the president of the Puttinu Cares Children’s Cancer Support Group.

A third of these young patients suffer from leukaemia, while another third have brain tumours.

Announcing the new cycling challenge – Alive 2015 – Nicky Camilleri, chairman of the Alive Charity Foundation, said the foundation felt an urgent need to help fund research into these widespread forms of cancer in children, after previous challenges raised more than €135,000 for breast cancer research.

The funds raised this year will go towards scientific research in children’s cancer at the University of Malta, conducted by a team of researchers led by Dr Pierre Schembri Wismayer, in collaboration with Mater Dei Hospital.

Dr Schembri Wismayer, a senior lecturer at the Department of Anatomy, said that with the foundation’s support, research had already been carried out into the genetic background of the cancers in Malta and how best to tackle them.

The funds raised this year will support research into actually treating cancers, specifically a form of treatment known as differentiation therapy.

“Differentiation therapy uses non-toxic chemicals to make cancer cells grow old and die, while using safe viruses and the body’s own immune system together to help attack cancer that has spread and is not amenable to operation,” Dr Schembri Wismayer explained. Alive 2015 will consist of 45 cyclists tackling 1,000km of gruelling terrain over seven days, travelling through seven countries on a journey from the Swiss Alps all the way to the Puttinu Cares Residence in Sutton, UK.

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca called for a greater focus on the specific challenges of cancer in children, and highlighted the importance of home-grown research in tackling the problem.

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