Publish date: 16 May 2026
A new specialist nursing role, focused on developing new treatments for leukaemia patients, has been created at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals thanks to local fundraising.
Previously a sister on the haematology ambulatory care unit working with patients receiving chemotherapy and stem cell transplants, this is Sarah’s first research role in her 10 years‘ experience.
Sarah said “I’m looking forward to working closely with patients and medical professionals to help develop treatments for our leukaemia patients. Also to seeing the changes in haematology treatments and seeing how they can develop to more treatments being delivered in an outpatient setting, minimising side effects and seeing longer overall survival.
“I have learned so much since starting my role in October, working alongside our incredible haematology research team.”
North West-based supermarket business, Booths, has been supporting the charity Cure Leukaemia for the past five years through the generosity of customers and colleagues and has recently celebrated raising more than £500,000.
Nigel Murray, Booths CEO added, “Research nurses play an essential role in connecting patients with potentially lifesaving treatments and advancing blood cancer care through vital clinical trials. We’re incredibly proud that Booths can support this work by funding Sarah’s role at Blackpool Hospital, and we’re grateful to every customer, colleague and supplier who has helped make vital life changing work possible."
This support from the Lancashire-based business is a new way of funding specialist research nurses and help to fight against blood cancer. It funds the dedicated research nurse role at the Trust and allows clinical trials to be available to patients in Lancashire and South Cumbria under the expertise of the Trust’s haematology consultants, Paul Cahalin and Seye Kolade.
The Trust’s Research team works closely to ensure patients are fully supported throughout their treatments, to ensure trials are available to those that need them and to continue to develop as new trials become available.
Through clinical trials such as the Evolve-1 and the Evolve 2 Study, patients with blood cancers gain access to innovative therapies that aim to improve survival rates and quality of life. These trials explore advanced treatment options tailored to individual needs, offering hope where traditional approaches may fall short. Blackpool are the leading recruiter for the Evolve 1 trial across Europe, with Sarah’s role being key to this success and the rapid set up of clinical trials.
James McLaughlin, Cure Leukaemia Chief Executive added: “These long-term commitments do more than just fund a position; they create a reliable infrastructure to bridge the gap between pioneering laboratory research and patients.
“By ensuring that research nurses are consistently available to identify, screen, and support patients, this funding enables individuals across Lancashire and South Cumbria to access cutting-edge clinical trials that would otherwise be out of reach. Ultimately, this regional investment ensures that local patients are the direct beneficiaries of medical breakthroughs, offering renewed hope and more advanced treatment options to those battling blood cancer within their own communities.”
