THE FUTURE of diabetes treatment has been given a boost with a bumper donation.
Almost £12,500 was given to the Islet Research Laboratory in Newtown Road by The Royal Voluntary Service (RVS).
The money, which was handed over to the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust last Thursday (December 11) will be used to buy a state-of-the-art Axiovert microscope which is used to monitor cells as they grow.
Islets, groups of cells found in the pancreas, sense sugar in blood and release insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes is caused when the body mistakenly destroys these cells, meaning insulin is no longer produced.
By monitoring islet cells closely, the research laboratory is hoping to find new ways to treat diabetes patients in the future.
Dr Hilary Murray, lead clinical scientist, said: “The RVS has given us such an amazing gift. This microscope is going to make a huge difference to what we are able to achieve in our research. We are extremely grateful for this donation.”
Tim Riggott, local area manager for the RVS, added: “We are delighted to be able to donate so much to this great cause. It just shows how a few purchases from our stores across the county can add up to something truly beneficial to our healthcare services.”
