Cancer is the number one killer in Hong Kong according to latest statistics released by the Government, accounting for 31% of total deaths in 2015. Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Dr Simon S O Ip announced today (28 June) that The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust would donate over HK$1.244 billion to The University of Hong Kong (HKU) to establish the city's first purpose-built cancer-specific research and service centre at the redeveloped Grantham Hospital.

The Club's funding will be used to set up a Centre for Clinical Innovation and Discovery (CCID) and an Institute of Cancer Care (ICC), and support their pre-commissioning programmes. Dr Ip was joined at today's ceremony by Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung; Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man; HKU Council Chairman Professor Arthur Li; Hospital Authority Chairman Professor John Leong; and Chairman of the Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Diseases Association Steve Lan.

Dr Ip congratulated the HKU Faculty of Medicine on its 130th Anniversary and said it was a very important milestone for an institution that had made such a vital contribution to Hong Kong's health and well-being. When discussions on this project began two years ago, the Club was also celebrating its own 130th Anniversary. "The establishment of these two institutions as part of the redevelopment of Grantham Hospital represents an important milestone," he said. "By bringing together cancer research, advanced cancer therapies and cancer-related care services under one roof, it will facilitate the speedy transfer of research findings into practical bedside solutions."

Over those 130 years, the Club had been pleased to make many contributions to the community, including to medical and health services – from supporting the construction of hospitals and clinics to funding cutting-edge medical research. It had also supported numerous HKU projects. Including this latest donation, the Club had donated a total of HK$3 billion to the university, some 50% of which had been in the field of medical and health. The HK$1.244 billion the Club was donating to this project was not only the Club's largest single donation to the medical sector in the current financial year, but also the largest single donation ever received by the university.

Professor Arthur Li thanked the Club's Charities Trust for its generous support to the University, noting that the Club had been a staunch supporter of HKU.  "This latest single donation will realise the establishment of the Centre for Clinical Innovation and Discovery and Institute of Cancer Care, which will form part of the elements of the significant undertaking by the Government, namely a 'Ten-year Blueprint for Hospital Development'," he said.  "We are extremely excited to work with the Government, the Hospital Authority and the Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Diseases Association, and to partner with The Hong Kong Jockey Club in the development of a holistic cancer care paradigm for Hong Kong."

The CCID and ICC are scheduled for completion in 2024, bringing scientific research, teaching and treatment under one roof. The CCID will be equipped with cutting-edge facilities and equipment to carry out research, focusing on genomics and DNA technologies to understand the causes of cancer. It will also undertake clinical research to develop precision diagnosis and medicine, advance the treatment of cancer and formulate new strategies for disease prevention.

Co-located with the CCID, the ICC will focus on studying and providing care for the psychosocial and psychological needs of cancer patients and their families/caregivers.  It will also develop evidence-based psycho-oncological practices to address the unmet demand for comprehensive, high-quality clinical care across the whole of Hong Kong, ensuring seamless cancer services from prevention, diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and survivor care.

Some of the cancer research projects and services will be progressively commenced before completion of the construction project, such as colon cancer prevention and screening programme, providing psychosocial health screening, symptom management and monitoring, and public education. With more than 220,000 people a year visiting the facility on its completion, the CCID and ICC will benefit patients and caregivers, students and the general public.

The Club has long been committed to supporting local medical development. Examples include funding the establishment of the Centre for Health Protection in reaction to the SARS outbreak in 2003, thereby helping Hong Kong prevent and fight epidemics; a HK$1.3 billion donation to The Chinese University of Hong Kong to establish a teaching hospital that will provide high-quality and affordable medical services for sandwich-class patients; and supporting the Hospital Authority implement the Jockey Club Inpatient Facilities Modernisation Scheme, which involves the installation of ceiling hoists and electrically-operated beds at all public hospitals in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a not-for-profit enterprise dedicated to community betterment. Through its integrated business model of world-class racing, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charity and community contribution, the Club generates substantial economic and social value and assists the Government in combating illegal gambling. In 2015/16 the Club donated a record HK$3.9 billion to charity and paid a record HK$20.9 billion in tax. It is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the world's largest charity donors. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong.