The Lions International Blood Research Appeal, best known as LIBRA, raises vital funds for the Haematology Department at King’s College Hospital in London (King’s). LIBRA is King’s official haematology charity, raising funds so that new and improved treatments for blood cancer patients can be created.

Over many years LIBRA has helped contribute to the King’s team which now has some thirteen professors, making it the leading Haematology Research and Treatment Centre in the UK and Europe. LIBRA was founded in 1976 by Lions Clubs of the British Isles and over the years it has provided the Haematology Department with more than £1m of funding.

Throughout 2020/21 LIBRA Trustees started the Going for Gold Campaign - we are over 2/3 of the way through meeting our target of £300,000 so we hope the final push this year will help us reach our target.

The  Derek Mitchell ward, supporting teenagers with blood cancers, was refurbished and opened by Dame Kelly Holmes on 3rd May 2023, has been a great success for patient care, and the new environment for patients enhances their recovery through the treatments they undertake.

Dr Stephan Menzel joined us at a recent Trustees meeting to outline to us the recent Sickle Cell research updates. There have been superb advances in genetics of foetal haemoglobin linked with his joint research with Professor Thein, now in the USA. This exciting research has now led to enhanced treatments which greatly assist patients in their recovery.

Supporter Dame Kelly Holmes MBE is helping to raise awareness of the campaign after losing her mother to myeloma.

We rely on donations and your support will help us to save more lives!

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://libralionscharity.org/