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Five people living with a range of chronic conditions including Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Cystic Fibrosis and Crohn’s disease are given the chance to go behind laboratory doors this Autumn to find out just what science can offer them.

What can Science do for Me? follows each person’s journey as they meet scientists working at the cutting edge of research into diagnosis, treatment and prevention of their particular condition: research which should ultimately help others with a similar diagnosis. 

Community Channel commissioned Media Trust Productions to produce the 5x30 series What can Science do for Me? which will broadcast in November.  Funded by the Wellcome Trust, each programme will examine five chronic conditions including Cystic Fibrosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Autism. 

Each individual is given the chance to come face-to-face with scientists at the forefront of scientific research into their condition. They are introduced to state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques and meet the scientists behind groundbreaking clinical trials and translational research across the UK.

Interwoven with this search for information, each of the five individuals talks about their own artistic passion – from singing and painting, to stand-up comedy and song writing. Through these interviews the series provides an insight into the physical and emotional impact each condition has on creativity as well as daily life.

Amongst the featured stories is that of 35-year-old Ian from north Wales, who was born with Cystic Fibrosis but was once in a West End production of Les Miserables. He discusses the impact of his condition on his passion for singing and meets scientists working on cutting-edge research areas, including gene therapy. 

Debbie is a talented landscape artist from Yorkshire with a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Her meetings with scientists include a visit to an ultrasound-imaging centre, where for the first time she is able to see the damage inside her joints.

Gareth has suffered from Crohn’s Disease for 21 years, and has had most of his small intestine removed.  He has channelled his pain, fear and hope into a stand-up comedy show ‘Gutless’ and the programme follows him as he finds out about pioneering treatments for his condition including stem cell therapy. 

Steven and Parool are on a journey to find out more about their 5-year-old  son’s Autism. They meet scientists working on methods of treating this mysterious developmental disorder by improving social interaction and empathy.

Singer-songwriter Michelle has Multiple Sclerosis. She hears about a clinical trial using THT, a chemical found in cannabis. In the future this could help relieve her symptoms and even reverse the damage to her nervous system.

The series is executive produced for Media Trust Productions by Jane Stephenson and Community Channel’s Head of Programmes and Campaigns, Adam Perry.

Adam Perry, Community Channel’s Head of Programmes and Campaigns comments:
“It’s particularly exciting to be collaborating with the Wellcome Trust on this new series which, via strong human-interest stories, sheds light on the day-to-day impact of living with these debilitating conditions. Breaking down the barriers that sometimes exist between scientists and the beneficiaries of their work has proved empowering for both patients and scientists alike.”

Clare Matterson, Wellcome Trust Director of Medicine, Society and History comments: "The Wellcome Trust is delighted with this series. By developing a more profound understanding of the scientific processes, the patients involved in the project - and others via the Community Channel - will have a clearer and more realistic view of the causes and treatments of certain diseases, and the timescales of potential cures."

Ends

For further information please contact Penny Crook at Community Channel on 0207 874 7651, pennyc@communitychannel.org,  or Rachel Lailey on 0207 874 7098, rachell@communitychannel.org

Notes to Editors
About Community Channel:
Community Channel is dedicated to engaging audiences with the charitable and voluntary sector, showcasing stories and issues that inspire action and encourage involvement.  Broadcasting original shows, the best of terrestrial TV and showcasing the work of new directors and community programme makers, Community Channel is the place for real-life stories from communities around the world. The channel is a free-to-air TV station available to 16.5 million digital households in the UK. Around 1.2 million people tune in every month (source: BARB) and we receive more than 12,000 responses a week from viewers. 

About Media Trust Productions:
Media Trust Productions produces award-winning films for charities and the wider not-for-profit sector. Uniquely positioned between the charity sector and the media industry, Media Trust Productions has made hundreds of innovative and creative films for a large range of clients from charities, both small and large, to local authorities and major broadcasters. As well as producing thought-provoking factual films, Media Trust Productions also produces communication tools such as interactive CD Roms, DVD’s and media-rich web content for fundraising, education and promotional purposes.

About Wellcome Trust
The Wellcome Trust is the largest charity in the UK. It funds innovative biomedical research, in the UK and internationally, spending around £500 million each year to support the brightest scientists with the best ideas. The Wellcome Trust supports public debate about biomedical research and its impact on health and wellbeing. http://www.wellcome.ac.uk.