The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh joins #GivingTuesday 2020, the global day of generosity taking place on 1 December 2020.
Brought to the UK in 2014 by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), this year #GivingTuesday offers the opportunity to #GiveBack2020 either by donating to charity, reaffirming commitment to a cause, volunteering time, or supporting others by simply helping a friend, neighbour or family member.
In 2020, the global Covid-19 pandemic has caused dramatic repercussions around the world. According to CAF research, charities have reported a significant increase in demand for their services while more than half (53%) have suffered a drop in donations. Charities estimate they will see a £10bn funding gap and without help many may be forced to close their doors.
RCSEd was first incorporated as the Barber Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1505 and is based in Edinburgh and Birmingham. It is one of the oldest surgical corporations in the world with a worldwide membership of almost 30,000.
The College promotes the highest standards of surgical and dental practice through education, training and examinations, its liaison with external medical bodies and representation of the modern surgical and dental workforce. It is also home to the UK’s only Faculty of Surgical Trainers, open to all those with an interest in surgical training regardless of College affiliation.
In 2019 #GivingTuesday was the top trending item on UK Twitter and generated more than 487m impressions. In the UK, more than £14.2 million was raised in online donations (via Visa alone), equivalent to almost £10,000 per minute.
Gráinne Mathews, #GivingTuesday UK Lead at the CAF, adds:
“Charities have given us so much this year, from vital food deliveries during lockdown, to developing new ways to deliver services so they could continue to help those in need; all while struggling themselves with cancelled fundraising events and closed charity shops.
"This #GivingTuesday charities need us to be there for them, like they've been there for us. It is time to #GiveBack2020. It's easy, just think of what you have - money, a voice, family, friends, followers, or time - and how that might help."
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh has been supported by the philanthropy of its donors since it’s foundation in 1505. If you are a UK taxpayer, and you complete a Gift Aid Declaration form, we can reclaim tax so that the value of your gift to the College increases by over 25%. Join this long list of benefactors and donate to The College today: www.rcsed.ac.uk/the-college/support-us/donate-to-us
In the run up to #GivingTuesday we are showcasing projects supported by RCSEd.
Richard Taylor was the recipient of the Joint RCSEd/SOMS Shanghai Head & Neck Fellowship 2018. Richard told us about his experience: Visiting China and undertaking the Fellowship was a valuable and rewarding privilege. It was a very memorable experience, providing an excellent opportunity to develop both my knowledge and understanding of major head and neck oncological surgical skill.
Recipient of The Alban Barros D’Sa Travelling Fellowship in General Surgery was Alexander D. M. Leeper, Volunteering as a General Surgeon in Rural Rwanda. Alexander let us know about the fellowship: A six-month period volunteering in Rwanda was extremely rewarding and I hope of benefit to the individuals I treated. It provided an opportunity for skill acquisition and self-belief which I have continued to draw on since my return.
Recipient of the Small Pump Priming Grant 2017 was Mr Robert K Silverwood. The grant was used for the development of a human 3D osteoporotic model for the assessment of microRNA manipulation. Robert said: We have furthered the scientific knowledge of microRNAs in patients suffering fragility fractures and developed a model to assess new targeted therapies. The outcomes of this research project will play a role in improving patients' health and quality of life.
James F. Donaldson from the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane received The John Steyn Travelling Fellowship In Urology 2018. James let us know that: This fellowship experience has greatly increased my confidence and has taught me different approaches with which to tackle complex operations and management decisions. It has also aided the important transition between being a trainee to becoming a consultant.
The Alban Barros D’Sa Travelling Fellowship in General Surgery 2019 was received by Neena Randhawa an Intestinal Failure and Intestinal Transplant Unit, Colorectal Department and Abdominal wall reconstruction department at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio. Neena told us: This was an invaluable experience for someone transitioning from a fellow to consultant post to observe international experts in my area of specialist interest.
Hannah Cornwall from Perth ENT Centre, Australia received the RCSEd and Binks Trust Medical Student Travel Award in 2019. She said: I had a fantastic elective experience which has reinforced my knowledge of clinical otolaryngology, helped me to reflect on and compare models of medical provision, and strengthened my desire to pursue a career in ENT.
The Recipient of the Major Project Grant in Ophthalmology 2017 was Professor Robert E MacLaren for the Development of a CRISPR gene therapy system for treating inherited retinal degenerations. We are pleased to report that our early laboratory work has progressed into international clinical trials, and it remains our commitment to research new treatments for currently incurable forms of blindness.
Recipient of the Cutner Travelling Fellowship in Orthopaedics 2017 was Simon Matthew Graham from Groote Schuur and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. Overall, spending time in surgical critical care gave me a fantastic insight an often-forgotten aspect of a surgical patient’s journey and to the differences in culture, attitudes and provision of care.