Monies raised in tribute to pet continues to help countless dogs and their families. When Jayne May set herself a £5,000 fundraising target to support research into canine cancer, she could not have begun to imagine what she would go on to achieve. After her own dog, Zoe, was diagnosed with cancer in 2015, Jayne wanted to help other dogs and their families doing through similar diagnoses and help support research into improved treatments. Seven years later, Jayne and her supporters have raised £250,000 to further crucial research into canine cancer at the Animal Health Trust (AHT) and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. Zoe’s Journey UK Jayne was inspired to start fundraising when 12-year-old golden retriever Zoe was diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoma in 2015. Despite the poor prognosis, Zoe beat the odds and, after various rounds of chemotherapy, became cancer free and went on to live a happy and healthy life. Jayne founded ‘Zoe’s Journey UK’ in honour of Zoe, to help other dogs and their families going through similar diagnoses and decided to raise money in aid of canine cancer research at the AHT. Jayne supported the AHT for five years and during that time raised £225,000 to support vital research on canine cancer. When the AHT closed during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Zoe’s Journey UK began supporting the canine cancer research programme at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. Canine cancer Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs. Sadly, approximately one in three dogs will develop cancer. Cancer prevalence in dogs increases with age and certain breeds are more susceptible to specific kinds of cancers. Scientists at the University of Edinburgh are working hard to better understand canine cancer and discover ways to improve treatment outcomes. Since 2000, Jayne has been instrumental in raising £25,000 to support vital research by the School’s veterinary oncology research team. I am very grateful to Jayne May and to everyone who has taken part in Jayne’s fundraising auction, donated to our JustGiving page, or set up a regular donation to Edinburgh University through Direct Debit. Better knowledge of canine cancer should ultimately lead to more successful treatments for this awful disease. Thanks to the donated funds we are working on novel tools to study cancer and to make new treatments a reality. Research is both time consuming and expensive, and we are extremely grateful to everyone at Zoe’s Journey UK for their continued and very generous support of vital research into canine cancer. Dr Maciej ParysVeterinary Clinical Lecturer, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies We are hugely grateful to Jayne, and everyone who has donated in aid of Zoe’s Journey UK. Together, over seven years, they have raised £250,000 to further crucial research into canine cancer. Zoe passed away peacefully in her sleep, cancer-free, in 2016. Jayne cherishes knowing that Zoe’s legacy has helped – and continues to help – countless dogs and in turn, countless families. Related links Zoe’s Journey UK facebook page Make a one-off Donation to Zoe’s Journey UK Pledge a regular donation to Zoe’s Journey UK Oncology Service at the Riddell-Swan Veterinary Cancer Centre About the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a one-of-a-kind centre of excellence in clinical activity, teaching and research. Our purpose-built campus, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Pentland Hills Regional Park, is home to more than eight hundred staff and almost fourteen hundred students, all of whom contribute to our exceptional community ethos. The School comprises: The Roslin Institute The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems The Roslin Innovation Centre The Hospital for Small Animals Equine Veterinary Services Farm Animal Services Easter Bush Pathology The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education We represent the largest concentration of animal science-related expertise in Europe, impacting local, regional, national and international communities in terms of economic growth, the provision of clinical services and the advancement of scientific knowledge. Publication date 02 Aug, 2022
