22 July 2011
For over a decade, The Dr Marjorie Barclay Trust has been making an annual donation in direct support of the asthma research group, headed by Institute Director, Prof Graham Le Gros. The Trust was set up from the estate of the late Dr Marjorie Barclay, who was one of New Zealands first female hospital specialists. Not content with this achievement alone, she then also specialised in the relatively new field of diagnostic radiology. Dr Barclay studied extensively overseas before returning to New Zealand where she lectured at the University of Otago Medical School and worked for the Otago Hospital Board. Later in her life, Dr Barclay, who suffered from asthma, relocated to Wellington as she felt the bracing sea air would benefit her health.
Sadly, Dr Barclay passed away in 1978, but her Charitable Trust has since seen over $3 million dollars distributed to various New Zealand charities. One such charity is the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, having been a grateful recipient of the Trust since 2000. The Trust funding we receive is allocated specifically for the purposes of research into asthma and has allowed for many purchases of important scientific equipment for the research group, as well as vital salary support for training scientists in the asthma area.
The Malaghan Institute is extremely thankful to The Dr Marjorie Barclay Trust for its ongoing support of Prof Le Gros and his work. We are pleased to be committed to honoring the memory of Dr Barclay by continuing to be at the forefront of asthma research, not only here in New Zealand, but also worldwide.