Here at The GEM appeal we have had some amazing news and an update regarding where the Doctors and Scientists are up to using the equipment funded by ourselves. 

We currently fund a research scientist and she is achieving some amazing results using the equipment paid for by The GEM Appeal. This is enabling much better diagnosis as well as better monitoring. The team are looking at undertaking newborn screening and the tests that are being done using this machinery is vital to that. They are finding many more 'milder' (later onset) forms of MPS and the older tests that used to be done, are not as good at detecting them. The team are looking at new therapies for MPS 11 ( Hunter syndrome ) and they are hoping to have 3 or 4 therapies approved by next year. The Manchester Gene therapy trial is progressing and the first patient treated with this has completed the treatment and is doing well, which is amazing news!

The scientists at the Willink unit state ' Without the tandem mass spectrometer and the Tecan machine (provided by the GEM Appeal) this new born screening programme would not be possible'

Please can I express my sincere and grateful thanks to everyone who has supported or contributed in any way to our fundraising through the years. This is the epitome of making a difference - You are part of something very special.

Karen Johnson,

Chair and Founder, GEM Appeal.