{"id":4312,"date":"2020-05-01T11:00:02","date_gmt":"2020-05-01T11:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/alumni\/?p=4312"},"modified":"2024-04-11T08:10:00","modified_gmt":"2024-04-11T08:10:00","slug":"cardiff-alumni-stepping-up-in-the-face-of-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/alumni\/2020\/05\/01\/cardiff-alumni-stepping-up-in-the-face-of-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Cardiff alumni: stepping up in the face of crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Members of the Cardiff family are taking on new responsibilities in the global effort to combat COVID-19. Whether they have a background in engineering, medicine, communications, computer science, business or sports, these Cardiff University alumni are contributing their time, energy and skills to fighting the coronavirus pandemic.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are just a few of the incredible stories taking place around the world, as well as closer to home. If you, your research, or organisation are innovating, adapting or making a difference during the crisis, then we\u2019d love to hear from you<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Cameron Durrant (MBBCh 1983)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr Durant has an extensive background in infectious diseases and is the CEO at Humanigen Inc, a company that has received FDA approval for the compassionate use of its Phase III study of lenzilumab in COVID-19 patients<\/a>. The trial uses lenzilumab to treat cytokine storm; chemicals in the blood that, when \u2018revved up\u2019, are likely to trigger acute respiratory syndrome (ARS), which is associated with more serious cases of coronavirus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Durant explains: “We are planning a Phase III study to start imminently in patients who are high risk of progression, but not yet on a ventilator or in the ICU and to prevent acute respiratory distress syndrome. If we are successful, not only will it save lives, but alleviate some of the overwhelming pressure on scarce, expensive and already stretched healthcare resources.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leighton John (BEng 1999)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Leighton is the director of operations at The Royal Mint, which has recently made the switch from making coins to making protective visors for the NHS. It\u2019s reported they came up with the medical designs for the visors after just 48 hours. The Royal Mint is eager to get its hands on more raw materials in the hopes of making thousands of these visors and helping NHS staff on the frontline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to WalesOnline<\/a>, Leighton said: \u201cMy sister works for the NHS and it really focuses your mind on the challenges they are facing and the opportunity we have to support them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We are supplying 1.9 million medical visors exclusively to the #NHS<\/a> to help protect medical workers from #coronavirus<\/a>. To reach that number, our dedicated team are producing over 100,000 per week. More here >> https:\/\/t.co\/IWbY8IZ92b<\/a> #StayHome<\/a> @NHSuk<\/a> @PublicHealthW<\/a> #NHSHeroes<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/bwIpBZWXdm<\/a><\/p>— The Royal Mint (@RoyalMintUK) April 27, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>