Multiple sclerosis researchers receive £100,000 grant from Freemasons

Cambridge researchers have received a major grant from The Freemasons' Grand Charity totalling £100,000. The Provincial Grand Master of Cambridgeshire, Rodney Wolverson, presented a cheque for the first instalment of £50,000 to Professor Alistair Compston and Dr. Alasdair Coles of the University of Cambridge's Department of Clinical Neurosciences today, Wednesday 25 August at Freemasons' Hall, Bateman Street, Cambridge. The grant is helping to fund research into the side effects of a drug called "alemtuzumab", for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Local Freemasons and Freemasons from around the country have worked together to raise these funds. Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common neurological conditions among young adults, affecting around 100,000 people in the UK. Although the mechanism of the disease is not fully understood it is known to be linked to the action of the population of white blood cells. Effects include episodes of disturbed sight, walking and thinking, which progress to more severe physical and mental disabilities.