The woman who was the public face of the Ninewells Cancer Campaign for two decades is to be given a fitting memorial.
A new centre on the Ninewells Hospital campus that will house more than 100 clinicians and scientists working together to improve cancer treatment and understanding of the disease is to be named after Dr Jacqui Wood.
Dr Wood, who died in May after a long battle with cancer, led the campaign that raised more than £17 million to support cancer research and treatment in Dundee.
Her widower Aubrey says his wife would have been enthusiastic about the new project but reluctant to see her name in the limelight.
Gone, but not forgotten, Jacqui continues to spur people to donate money to the appeal in which she invested so much time and effort.
Now a new appeal is being launched to raise £2 million to kit out the building that will bear her name and attract more scientists to work there.
Mr Wood said: ”I do think calling it the Jacqui Wood Centre will help enormously with raising the money needed. So many people have been enthusiastic about Jacqui and what she has done over the years.
”I am sure Jacqui would have been enthusiastic about the centre, though she would have pulled back from putting her name on it. She would have raised money for it.
”Even with her gone, money continues to come in regularly. I think people will get enthusiastic about this new appeal.”
He stressed that every penny raised is spent in Dundee and those involved are all volunteers. Nobody is paid any expenses.
Dundee University took the decision to name the new centre focusing on cancer research after Dr Wood. The Jacqui Wood Centre will bring to fruition her long-held vision to locate the medical school’s clinical and laboratory research work on cancer in a single location.
Professor John Connell, dean of the university’s school of medicine, said: ”I am particularly pleased that we can honour the memory of Jacqui in this way, as she did so much to support cancer research in Dundee. She would, I am sure, have been delighted that we now have a physical location for our very best cancer research.
”This is an outstanding opportunity for the medical school to build its research that bridges the gap between bedside and laboratory bench.”
The Jacqui Wood Centre will be housed in a five-floor building next to the university’s Clinical Research Centre on the Ninewells site. It will house more than 100 clinicians and scientists.
Professor Roland Wolf, director of the Medical Research Institute at the university, said bringing all of the cancer researchers into close proximity would bring a new urgency and focus to the studies being carried out at Dundee.
”This centre will provide a major platform that will allow us to create a step change in our cancer research capability. The co-location of more than 100 clinicians and scientists generates real energy and increases our critical mass in this key area of research,” said Professor Wolf.
”I am very optimistic that this will allow us to recruit even more world-class research scientists to Dundee.”
The Ninewells Cancer Campaign will launch a new fundraising drive in honour of Mrs Wood, and some of the funds raised will help with costs to make the centre fully operational.
The total target of £2 million will also allow the medical school to attract new staff to build research capacity.
Lady Fiona Fraser, who succeeded Dr Wood as chairwoman of the Ninewells Cancer Campaign, said: ”The special appeal to complete and name such a prestigious building after Jacqui will be a very fitting and lasting tribute to her memory and all she has done for cancer research at Ninewells.
”It will give the Ninewells Cancer Campaign a focus for fundraising in the future and continue Jacqui’s wish to keep Dundee and Ninewells on the international stage for the benefit of patients.”
NHS Tayside chief executive Gerry Marr said: ”This is a fitting tribute to Dr Jacqui Wood, who worked tirelessly spearheading the Ninewells Cancer Campaign, helping Dundee gain its reputation as a world-renowned centre for cancer research and treatment, and improving the lives of cancer patients immensely.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the appeal should make it payable to ”Ninewells Cancer Campaign” and send to Ninewells Cancer Campaign, 1 Cross Row, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN.