The Academy hosted the first ever event to recognise and thank Helix Group members at 41 Portland Place on Wednesday, 30 September.
The Helix Group is a special cohort of around 100 of the Academy’s most valued supporters, who contribute £250 or more each year to our work. The event brought them together for the first time, to thank them for their support and to reflect on the Academy’s important role in the UK medical science ecosystem.
Professor Tom Kirkwood CBE FMedSci, Associate Dean for Ageing at Newcastle University delivered an excellent keynote talk on ‘The Manifold Challenges of Living Longer’.
Professor Kirkwood’s research aims to understand the basic science of ageing including how genes as well as non-genetic factors, such as nutrition, influence longevity and health in old age. His presentation provided fascinating insight into the Newcastle 85+ Study, a prospective cohort study of biological clinical and psychosocial factors underlying healthy ageing in a cohort of more than 1000 participants born in 1921.
The talk was followed by a drinks reception hosted by our President, Professor Sir John Tooke.
If you would like to find out more about the Helix Group or become a member, please visit our Support Us pages.