Art Auction Cure Leukaemia Art Auction 2010

Professor Craddock

Professor of Haemato-Oncology at UHBT and founding Trustee of Cure Leukaemia.

In the fifth year of the Cure Leukaemia Art Auction I am reminded how important that number is to our leukaemia patients. If patients have not had a return of their disease 5 years after their intensive treatment with chemotherapy or a transplant they are deemed to be in long term remission. This is great news for them and for us, the medical team at the Leukaemia Centre, as it means we are getting closer to our mission statement – to find a cure for every patient with leukaemia.

In the past 12 months, thanks to the incredible support of Cure Leukaemia, the team of doctors, nurses and scientists based at the Leukaemia Centre at the QE Hospital have made further important progress in the development of new drug and transplant therapies for this cruel disease. As a result more and more patients are being offered hope and a realistic prospect of cure.

I must pay tribute to the major role played by all those connected with the art auction. From the artists, many of whom donate their superb work year after year, to the talented auction committee chaired by Gavin Buckley, Wragge & Co who provide their superb Banking Hall, the sponsors and the guests who generously purchase the art.

To host this years’ auction we have, as guest of honour, David Bintley, Artistic Director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. David has done much to make Birmingham a world class centre for music and the performing arts and serves as an inspiration in our efforts to make the Leukaemia Centre one of the best international centres for the treatment and care of patients with leukaemia and other blood cancers. Many thanks to David for sparing an evening to join us and bring further prestige to a special event.

Sadly, for the first time, my work makes it impossible for me to be here tonight. Thank you to everyone involved in making the auction possible or your generosity in supporting it. I will be missing another great occasion!

Professor Charles Craddock

Gavin Buckley

Chairman Cure Leukaemia Art Auction Committee 2010

I am delighted to welcome you to the 2010 Cure Leukaemia Art Auction, held in the beautiful Banking Hall at Wragge & Co. This year we are honoured to have David Bintley, Artistic Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet join us as our guest of honour.

As you can see from this catalogue, 30 brilliant, talented and generous professional artists have donated artwork for sale. I know many of the artists personally through the Visual service we offer at Arts & Business. The work is superb and my sincere thanks go to each of the artists who have by their generosity made this event possible.

I would also like to thank Wragge & Co for providing this wonderful venue, Jeremy Thornton of Biddle & Webb and Barefoot Wines for providing the wine. Behind the scenes I am privileged to work with a committee of professionals who are freely providing both their time and considerable expertise. Their names are printed at the back of this catalogue and I am immensely grateful for all they do to create, promote and deliver this annual event, which has already raised over £75,000 for the charity.

Tonight is about helping Cure Leukaemia provide world-class research, treatment and care for both patients and their families. This can only be done if we generate the money to pay for it and, tonight, every £1 we raise will go directly to the charity and has the potential to make a real difference to someone’s life. Enjoy the evening and I hope you take home an artwork that will bring you pleasure for many years to come.

Gavin Buckley