Dr Victoria Dunne Explains Importance of Philanthropic Funding
JCRC Researcher Dr Victoria Dunne spoke about the importance of philanthropic funding to groundbreaking cancer research at an event with QUB Chancellor Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Dr Dunne, who works on molecular radiotherapy research for men with advanced prostate cancer for the Johnston Cancer Research Centre (JCRC)’s ProEx Prostate Cancer Centre of Excellence, explained at a panel discussion how philanthropic funding from LFT Charitable Trust has allowed her to pursue research that has the potential to change patients’ lives.
The panel discussion titled “The Ripples of Hope that Philanthropy Brings” took place at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB)’s Chancellor’s Dinner in London in December 2025, held as part of the University’s 180th anniversary celebrations.
“Support from the LFT Charitable Trust,” explained Dr Dunne, “has enabled me to develop my academic career in Queen's University while advancing molecular radiotherapy research for men with advanced prostate cancer, demonstrating how philanthropy transforms scientific ideas into real-world treatments that have the potential to change patients’ lives.”
The event in London gave QUB a chance to also announce an ambitious investment to secure the long-term future of its Pathway Bursary Fund, which supports students who traditionally may not see higher education as an option. This is possible thanks to generous funding from Kilwaughter Minerals, the Kilwaughter Foundation and nearly 500 donors, echoing Dr Dunne’s message on the importance of philanthropic funding.
JCRC’s ProEx Prostate Cancer Centre of Excellence works to advance understanding of prostate cancer, in particular the type that can cause death. ProEx are researching better ways to prevent, detect, and treat prostate cancers.
