The Trustees
Aileen MurgatroydAileen’s daughter Kay was shockingly diagnosed in May 2016 aged 17. Since then, Aileen has fundraised for Teenage Cancer Trust, Weston Park, ALK positive UK, as well as ALK/Lungevity. She is passionate about research and dedicated to raising as much money as possible to prolong the life of ALK positive sufferers. Aileen is an Optometrist with husband Phil at their two practices in Doncaster and Chesterfield. In 2023, Aileen took part in the STARS programme with the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. In 2024, Aileen has reviewed research grants for the Lung Cancer Research Foundation. Aileen is an avid U2 fan, eager gym fanatic and loves to socialise with her friends and family.
Colin Blackaby
As Brother-in-law to Aileen & Phil and Uncle to Kay, Colin takes a keen interest in the development of treatments of the ALK+ cancer condition. Indeed, he has previously raised money for the US-based research charity (Lungevity). Colin is the former Director of a Domiciliary Homecare company based in Greater London and prior to this, he spent some 40 years working within Corporate Banking in the City of London. Colin lists his main interests as being Sport and Music but he freely admits that his personal achievements in both are modest to say the least! “As a Trustee for ‘Research ALK+’, I would like to help to raise UK-based funding for research into this terribly afflicting condition”.
Kelvin Fitton
Practicing Chartered Accountant and Registered Auditor. Board member of Doncaster Chamber, Vice Chair of Finance for Enterprise, Treasurer of Leger Legends Race Committee and has recently joined Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Doncaster. Kelvin climbed Kilimanjaro in 2019 for Sheffield Children’s hospital raising £11k. A life long friend of the Murgatroyd’s and he is the treasurer of Research ALKay+ve. Kelv has organised a range of events for Research ALKay+ve such as dinners and football matches. Kelv spends most of his time out in Portugal!
Committee Members
Phil MurgatroydPhil’s daughter Kay was diagnosed with NSCLC in May 2016 when aged just 17. Kay attended Weston Park Hospital on a monthly basis where she have received excellent care from all the team there. Aileen and Phil wanted to replicate a research project similar to the lungevity model in the USA for a while. Phil is an Optometrist Director in his two practices of Murgatroyd Opticians. Phil is a keen Sheffield Wednesday supporter and loves to watch the cricket.
Jenny Blackaby
Jenny is Kay’s Aunt and a nurse with an independent prescribing qualification. She has worked in the past as a district nurse and was clinical director of a domiciliary homecare company in Greater London. Jenny supported Kay throughout her illness and enjoys supporting the various fundraisers for Research ALKay+ve. In her spare time, Jenny loves to take her golden retriever Lexie out walking.
Nadine Fitton
Nadine was introduced to the Murgatroyds’ 28 years ago and they became close friends as their children grew up together. Nadine’s role within Research ALKay+ve is to provide support during many of our fundraising activities and to help raise as much money as possible for research into finding a cure. Nadine has become chief knitter, making chocolate orange covers to sell in Christmas and Easter themes.In her spare time, she loves to walk her beagle Bella.
The late Cameron Millar, Edinburgh based Alk Positive patient survivor
Cameron Millar was diagnosed with incurable stage IV lung cancer in January 2020. The cancer was caused not from smoking but the gene mutation Alk Positive. Thanks to research there are targeted therapy drugs to temporarily control the cancer. Rehabilitation over the covid lock down was successful and Cameron is now back enjoying his pursuits of cycling, running, dog walking and hopefully skiing in the coming winter. Research is making great headway to turn this condition from terminal to chronic status whereby patients can live a normal extended life. However, we need a big push to achieve results and fund the science for patients to live a full life. Sadly, Cammie passed away in February 2024 but his legacy remains at the core of our research.
The late Kay Murgatroyd, Doncaster based Alk Positive patient
Kay was diagnosed with incurable stage IV lung cancer in May 2016. Kay received great care from the Teenage Cancer Trust and Young Lives VS Cancer. Kay trained as a nurse whilst battling cancer, emerging to the ranks of DRI in 2021. As social media coordinator with brother Ewan, Kay managed the social channels of Research ALKay+ve and helped organise our range of fundraisers! Sadly, Kay passed away in July 2023 yet her legacy will live on as her name is honoured in ‘Research ALKay+ve’.
Ewan Murgatroyd
Brother to the courageous Kay, Ewan has been involved in raising cancer awareness since 2016. Ewan has fundraised for the Teenage Cancer Trust by completing the Sheffield 10K, backpacking in Aldi and coffee afternoons. More recently, Ewan has helped raise funds for Alk positive lung cancer by completing the Manchester marathon and a sky dive! Ewan coordinates the social media channels and helps organise a variety of events. He also raises lung cancer awareness in South Yorkshire by attending local community events, such as ‘Talk Cancer’ in Rotherham 2024.
Additional supporters
We have various contacts including Colin Barton, Chair and board member of the medical committee of ALK positive and Lorraine Dallas, director of Prevention, Information and Support at Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, who have an established grants committee to deal with research projects and are happy to advise us as our funds grow.
Professor Mathew Hatton, Consultant and Honorary Professor in Oncology, current chair of the National Cancer Research Institute Lung Cancer Study group and serves on the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Education Board, will be advising and is keen for a UK driven research focus. Fabio Gomes, a research fellow at the Medical Oncology department of the Christie Hospital Manchester, is also happy to help in any way he can.
