Malta University researchers have received a boost in their efforts to treat cancer in children thanks to Alive2015, a cycling challenge for cancer taking place next July.

Nicky Camilleri, chairperson of the Alive Charity Foundation, said that after previous cycling challenges raised over €135,000 for breast cancer research, the foundation felt an urgent need to help fund research into leukaemia and brain tumours in children.

According to Consultant Paediatric Oncologist Dr Victor Calvagna, president of the Puttinu Cares Children’s Cancer Support Group, cancer affects 10 children in Malta every year, a third of whom suffer from leukaemia while another third have brain tumours.

Dr Pierre Schembri Wismayer, a senior lecturer at the Department of Anatomy, said that with the support of the Alive Charity Foundation, research had already been carried out into the cancer’s genetic background in Malta and how best to tackle it. The funds raised this year would support research into actually treating cancers.

“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,” he explained.

Alive2015 will involve 45 cyclists tackling 1000km 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.

Also speaking at the announcement of the challenge, 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.