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Community Foundation North East is proud to celebrate a remarkable milestone as Nicola Curtin reaches £1 million in donations through the Curtin PARP Fund.
This achievement places Nicola among a distinguished group of philanthropists whose generosity is transforming lives across the region. Her commitment to supporting individuals to realise their potential reflects the very heart of Community Foundation’s ethos.
Nicola’s journey to philanthropy is as inspiring as the impact her giving continues to make. A pioneering biomedical researcher, her work contributed to the development of a groundbreaking anticancer drug that has significantly advanced treatment options for patients worldwide.
Reflecting on this journey, Nicola said:
“I feel very lucky to have had a career that allowed me to pursue my passion for biomedical research, and luckier still that it enabled me to be involved in the development of an anticancer drug. Being in the right place at the right time to help realise its potential to exploit vulnerabilities in tumours has led to a major advance in cancer therapy—particularly for ovarian cancer, and now also breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers—with relatively minor side effects.
Because of my involvement in this work, I received a substantial royalty payment. I didn’t need the money, and it didn’t seem fair for one person to have so much luck, so I decided to establish the PARP Fund at the Community Foundation to help people less fortunate gain the skills and knowledge to make the most of their lives and realise their potential.”
Since its establishment, the Curtin PARP Fund has supported a wide range of initiatives, opening doors to education, skills development, and opportunity for those who need it most.
Elaine Holdsworth, Senior Philanthropy Advisor at Community Foundation North East, said:
“Nicola’s generosity is truly inspiring. Reaching the £1 million milestone is not only a remarkable personal achievement, but a powerful statement about the difference that thoughtful, purposeful giving can make. Through the Curtin PARP Fund, Nicola is creating opportunities that will have a lasting impact on individuals and communities for years to come.”
This milestone is a moment of celebration and reflection, not only on the scale of Nicola’s giving, but on the lives already changed and the many more that will benefit in the future.
Her generosity stands as a shining example to others, demonstrating how local philanthropy can create meaningful, lasting change.
You can find out more about the Curtin PARP fund here.