The Panthera Clinical Research team will be present in the fan zone with Preston North End Community and Education Trust [PNECET] for Saturday’s home game against Birmingham City.
Based in Preston – formerly at the Issa Medical Centre and now at the brand new Fatima Health Centre on Garstang Road – Panthera is an independent organisation working closely with clinical research organisations and NHS trusts nationwide to help in the development and research into new medications.
Supporters visiting the PNECET stall – based just outside the gazebo on Alan Kelly Walk – will be able to learn more about the clinical trials that are run by Panthera, with a focus this weekend on trials to combat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
One in three adults in the UK are affected by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and supporters who visit the PNECET stall in the fan zone can register their interest in clinical trials investigating the disease investigating the disease and find out more information on how to get involved in clinical research.
The early stages of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can be brought on by obesity or a sedentary lifestyle, causing excess fat to build up around the liver, which can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver failure. Panthera’s trials are investigating medication to reverse the condition in its early stages.
In the care of Panthera, those who do become involved in clinical trials around non-alcoholic fatty liver disease will receive a health check, a one-to-one with a healthcare clinician and a fibroscan – a specialist ultrasound of the liver.
Fans visiting the stall on Saturday can also learn more about other clinical trials, including some looking to combat Osteoarthirits and Cardiovascular Disease – among others, with the Panthera team set to be present to discuss potential options while handing out information sheets and hand sanitizer to supporters.
Stuart Young, CEO of Panthera Clinical Research, said: “The need to develop new medicines is more prominent than ever, people are living longer, but quality of life is also of paramount importance.
“Panthera works closely with local healthcare providers and partners like PNE to offer opportunities for more people to get involved in research and help advance new medicines in a safe and ethical environment. It’s a great privilege to support PNE and the local community.”
The PNECET Health and Wellbeing team will also be present alongside the Panthera clinical research team to recruit participants for the latest wave of its FIT FANS programme.
The programme will start from the week commencing Monday 24th January, inviting men and women aged between 35 and 65, with a BMI of 28 or over, to join PNECET on an exciting and engaging 12-week fitness programme.
The FIT FANS programme sees 20 men and 20 women join PNECET for one night a week over the course of 12 weeks for a period of 90 minutes at Deepdale, with sessions split equally between classroom workshops, based on healthy lifestyles, and physical exercise sessions that utilise the assets of the stadium.
There are limited places remaining for the programme; register your interest by visiting the fan zone and speaking to a member of the team this weekend, by visiting the EFL Trust website and selecting Preston North End as your chosen club, or by emailing hannah.white@pne.com to learn more.
Meanwhile, fans unable to attend this weekend’s game who are interested in the services of Panthera can still get involved in their work by texting ‘RESEARCH’ to 88008 or by visiting https://www.pantheraclinic.co.uk/why-get-involved/#registerinterest.
