RELATIVES of Sir Bobby Robson have marked the tenth anniversary of the North-East cancer research centre he opened months before his death.

An open day was held at the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, on Saturday.

Sir Bobby’s family, staff, patients, charity fundraisers and members of the public had the opportunity to find out more about the clinical trials.

Lady Elsie said: “Bob was really humbled when it was suggested this new centre should be named after him. It meant such a lot to him.

“I can think of no better way of remembering him than the continued work in this trials unit.

“He’d be so proud to know how it’s helping people facing cancer now and making things better for the future.”

The Northern Echo:

Sir Bobby officially opened the centre on February 20, 2009.

Patients and staff work closely together to improve the treatment and diagnosis of cancer and study the effects of new drugs.

The centre was made possible after Sir Bobby launched the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation in 2008 to find the £500,000 needed to equip it.

The foundation also funds training posts for a specialist clinical trials doctor and nurse within the centre.

Lady Elsie said: “Finding the money to equip this centre is why we launched our foundation and we’ve been so lucky to receive marvellous support that’s enabled us to do that, and much more.

“I hope everyone who has ever supported our foundation in any way shares my pride in the achievements of the team at the Sir Bobby Centre.

“And let’s hope the next ten years brings even more important drug breakthroughs.”

Now one of the most active cancer clinical trials units in the UK, it was recognised as a CRUK Centre of Excellence for this activity in 2016.

It offers patients from across the North-East and Cumbria access to early drug trials and potential new treatments, including immunotherapy drugs that are proving very effective for some cancers which would otherwise be extremely difficult to treat.

Professor Ruth Plummer is director of the Sir Bobby Robson Centre, was Sir Bobby’s consultant and is a trustee of his foundation.

She said: “I hope Sir Bobby would be pleased with the ongoing work we’re doing here. It wouldn’t have been possible without his commitment and the support of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

“Sir Bobby was one of the first patients to receive treatment here and he was very engaged with the process.

“Like all our patients, he understood the importance of clinical trials both for him personally and for others. We have patients who choose to undertake trials knowing from the outset that it won’t improve their situation, but they know it will help other people coming after them.

“Sir Bobby knew that and described them as ‘selfless’. I think that’s a perfect description.”