{{Short description|Medical research charity focused on scar free healing}}
{{Infobox organization | name = The Scar Free Foundation | logo = 200px | image = | caption = | founder = Michael Brough | type = Medical research charity | focus = Wound healing and scarring conditions | headquarters = The Royal College of Surgeons of England | established = 1998 | former_name = The Healing Foundation | leader_title = Chairman | leader_name = Professor Sir Bruce Keogh | leader_title2 = Chief Executive | leader_name2 = Lieutenant General Richard Nugee CBE | leader_title3 = Royal Patron | leader_name3 = Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh | website = [https://www.scarfree.org.uk/ Official website] }}
'''The Scar Free Foundation''' is a medical research charity focused on scar free healing.<ref name="scarfree.org.uk">{{Cite web |title=About Us — The Scar Free Foundation |url=https://scarfree.org.uk/about-us |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=scarfree.org.uk}}</ref> It was founded in 1998 by plastic surgeon Michael Brough, following his work with survivors of the King's Cross Fire in London. Initially known as The Healing Foundation, it was relaunched as The Scar Free Foundation in 2016.
The charity funds medical research into wound healing and scarring conditions. Current research is focused on identifying the pathways that lead to scarring, developing new treatment options, and improving the psychological outcomes and quality of life of patients currently living with scars.
The current Chairman is former Medical Director of the NHS, Sir Bruce Keogh, and the Chief Executive is Richard Nugee CB CVO CBE. Peter Weissberg CBE is the Research Council Chairman. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh is the charity's Royal Patron. Notable Ambassadors include Simon Weston CBE and Pam Warren.
== History ==
=== Phoenix Appeal === Mr Michael Brough was the leading surgeon at the University College Hospital on 18 November 1987, when a wooden escalator at the King's Cross underground station burst into flames.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-11-18 |title=King's Cross fire: 'I was screaming in pain' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-41902389 |access-date=2024-01-09 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The intense fire in a confined space resulted in 31 deaths; 19 survivors suffered flame burns.<ref>Croome, Desmond F.; Jackson, Alan Arthur (1993). ''Rails Through the Clay: A History of London's Tube Railways''. Capital Transport. {{ISBN|978-1-85414-151-4}}. p459</ref>
Inspired by his experiences, Brough initiated efforts to improve treatment for the physical and psychological impact of burns. He set up the Phoenix Appeal in 1988 to fund the establishment of the first university department of plastic and reconstructive surgery at University College London.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-12-13 |title=Michael Brough |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/michael-brough-24478.html |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>
=== The Healing Foundation === In 1998, as Treasurer of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), Brough and his fellow Trustees established The Healing Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us {{!}} BAPRAS |url=https://www.bapras.org.uk/public/about-us |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=www.bapras.org.uk}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Hart |first1=John |title=BAPS to BAPRAS: The History of the Association 1986-2016 |last2=Eley |first2=Brendan |publisher=Polymath Publishing |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-904096-29-0 |editor-last=Green |editor-first=A. Roger |location=London |pages=137–142}}</ref> Building on the groundwork laid by the Phoenix Appeal, The Healing Foundation aimed to advance research into surgical and psychological healing techniques for individuals with disfiguring conditions.
Various UK medical membership bodies provided support to The Healing Foundation as Partner Member Organisations. These partnerships bolstered the charity's credibility, networking capabilities, and financial resources.These organisations were BAPRAS, the British Association of Aesthetic Surgeons,<ref>{{Cite web |title=British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) — The Scar Free Foundation |url=https://scarfree.org.uk/principal-members/british-association-of-aesthetic-plastic-surgeons-baaps |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=scarfree.org.uk}}</ref> the British Psychological Society,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The British Psychological Society — The Scar Free Foundation |url=https://scarfree.org.uk/principal-members/the-british-psychological-society |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=scarfree.org.uk}}</ref> the Craniofacial Society of Great Britain and Ireland,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Scar Free Foundation |url=https://craniofacialsociety.co.uk/professionals/research/the_scar_free_foundation.aspx |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=craniofacialsociety.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> the British Burns Association,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The British Burn Association — The Scar Free Foundation |url=https://scarfree.org.uk/principal-members/the-british-burn-association |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=scarfree.org.uk}}</ref> and the British Society for Surgery of the Hand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Scar Free Foundation {{!}} The British Society for Surgery of the Hand |url=https://www.bssh.ac.uk/patients/the_healing_foundation.aspx |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=www.bssh.ac.uk}}</ref> [[File:Lt Gen (rtd) Richard Nugee at Scar Free Foundation Ambassador Event October 2023.jpg|alt=A man in a suit mid-speech in a grand library.|thumb|Chief Executive Richard Nugee speaking to Scar Free Foundation Ambassadors at an event at the Royal College of Surgeons in 2023.|320x320px]] John Hart CBE was appointed as the first Director of The Healing Foundation in February 1999.<ref name=":0" /> Brendan Eley joined the organisation as Appeal Director in 2001, before being made CEO in 2004.<ref name=":0" />
Notable Research Chairmen for The Healing Foundation include Sir Kenneth Calman and Sir John Temple. Notable Trustees include Sir Stuart Rose and Chris Patten.
=== The Scar Free Foundation === In 2016, The Healing Foundation officially rebranded as The Scar Free Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bristol |first=University of |title=July: scar-free healing {{!}} News and features {{!}} University of Bristol |url=https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2016/july/scar-free-healing.html |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=www.bristol.ac.uk |date=19 July 2016 |language=en-GB}}</ref> This change was made following a detailed assessment of previous work and future priorities with clinicians, scientists, Partner Member Organisations, and people with lived experience of scarring.<ref name=":0" /> The charity pivoted to focus exclusively on wound healing and scarring conditions. A new Research Strategy was developed by a panel chaired by Professor Sir John Iredale.
Brendan Eley was succeeded as CEO by Richard Nugee in April 2023.<ref name="scarfree.org.uk"/>
== Research centres and major projects ==
The Scar Free Foundation (formerly The Healing Foundation) has co-ordinated research projects in burns, cleft, conflict wounds, and scarring genetics since its inception in 1998. Notable projects include:
=== Burns === The Healing Foundation facilitated the establishment of two research centres dedicated to burns. The first, situated at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, aimed to develop innovative techniques for burn prevention and enhance clinical care for affected children.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-06-10 |title=Frenchay Hospital children's burns research centre opens |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-22838158 |access-date=2024-01-10 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bristol |first=University of |title=2013: School of Social and Community Medicine {{!}} News and features {{!}} University of Bristol |url=https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2013/9436.html |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=www.bristol.ac.uk |date=10 June 2013 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The Centre for Children's Burns Research was officially opened in June 2013 by Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
Subsequently, another research hub, the Healing Foundation Centre for Burns Research, was inaugurated at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham in October 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buckley |first=Jemma |date=2014-10-21 |title=Countess of Wessex opens Birmingham burns research centre |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/new-burns-research-centre-opened-7973728 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Birmingham Live |language=en}}</ref>
A notable outcome of The Healing Foundation Centre for Children's Burns Research was the [https://www.smartwound.co.uk/smartwound-predict/ SmartWound PREDICT Dressing], developed by scientists at the University of Bath. This dressing changes colour upon detecting bacteria, providing an alternative method for infection detection.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hickey |first=Shane |date=2015-12-20 |title=The innovators: colour-changing bandage to help fight antibiotic resistance |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/dec/20/colour-changing-dressing-to-fight-antibiotic-resistance |access-date=2024-01-22 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
=== Cleft === The Scar Free Foundation initiated the Cleft Collective, a large-scale multigenerational cohort study investigating the causes, treatments, and long-term outcomes of children born with cleft lip and/or palate.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-03-26 |title=Cleft lip research launched in UK |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/health-17517184 |access-date=2024-01-10 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> With over 10,000 participants recruited from all 16 Cleft Centres in the UK, the project stands as the largest biobank of its kind globally.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Bristol |first=University of |title=2022: 10,000th Participant and Funding News! {{!}} Bristol Dental School {{!}} University of Bristol |url=https://www.bristol.ac.uk/dental/cleft-collective/news/2022/10000th-participant-and-funding-news.html |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=www.bristol.ac.uk |date=17 November 2022 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The collected data is available for researchers from various disciplines, resulting in numerous peer-reviewed publications.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bristol |first=University of |title=Publications |url=https://www.bristol.ac.uk/dental/cleft-collective/professionals/publications/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=www.bristol.ac.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref>
=== Conflict wounds === In 2018, the Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research was established at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-11-13 |title=Britain's first specialist wound hub to open |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-46181581 |access-date=2024-01-10 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The centre's studies aim to mitigate the physical and psychological impacts of scarring among servicemen, women, and individuals injured in terrorist attacks. It was established in partnership with the CASEVAC Club, a members organisation similar to the Guinea Pig Club.
=== Regenerative research === The Healing Foundation Centre at the University of Manchester was opened in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2007-09-13 |title=Burns victims research hub opens |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/6993214.stm |access-date=2024-01-22 |language=en-GB}}</ref> It was focused on understanding wound healing and tissue regeneration mechanisms, with notable discoveries including the identification of genes activated during tissue regeneration in animals.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Love |first1=Nick R. |last2=Chen |first2=Yaoyao |last3=Bonev |first3=Boyan |last4=Gilchrist |first4=Michael J. |last5=Fairclough |first5=Lynne |last6=Lea |first6=Robert |last7=Mohun |first7=Timothy J. |last8=Paredes |first8=Roberto |last9=Zeef |first9=Leo AH |last10=Amaya |first10=Enrique |date=2011-11-15 |title=Genome-wide analysis of gene expression during Xenopus tropicalis tadpole tail regeneration |journal=BMC Developmental Biology |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=70 |doi=10.1186/1471-213X-11-70 |issn=1471-213X |pmc=3247858 |pmid=22085734 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Love |first1=Nick R. |last2=Chen |first2=Yaoyao |last3=Ishibashi |first3=Shoko |last4=Kritsiligkou |first4=Paraskevi |last5=Lea |first5=Robert |last6=Koh |first6=Yvette |last7=Gallop |first7=Jennifer L. |last8=Dorey |first8=Karel |last9=Amaya |first9=Enrique |date=February 2013 |title=Amputation-induced reactive oxygen species are required for successful Xenopus tadpole tail regeneration |journal=Nature Cell Biology |language=en |volume=15 |issue=2 |pages=222–228 |doi=10.1038/ncb2659 |issn=1465-7392 |pmc=3728553 |pmid=23314862}}</ref>
Additionally, the Scar Free Foundation co-funded the 3D BioFace project at Swansea University.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-03-11 |title=3D printing: Ears and noses to be created using human cells |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-60707187 |access-date=2024-01-11 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> This ongoing initiative employs 3D bioprinting technology to reconstruct facial cartilage, offering less invasive and more personalised solutions for patients requiring facial reconstruction, such as those with microtia or bosma arhinia microphthalmia syndrome.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyrer-Jones |first=Alex |date=2023-04-04 |title=3D printed vegan nose developed by scientists at Swansea University |url=https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/3d-printed-vegan-nose-developed-by-scientists-at-swansea-university-221498/ |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=3D Printing Industry |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Psychology === The Healing Foundation funded research programs aimed at understanding the psychological impact of visible differences, such as scarring and limb loss from conflict.
Notable projects include the Appearance Research Collaboration, which focused on identifying psychological factors contributing to successful adjustment to life with a visible difference.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rumsey |first1=Nicola |last2=Bryon-Daniel |first2=James |last3=Charlton |first3=Rodger |last4=Clarke |first4=Alex |last5=Harcourt |first5=Diana |date=2009 |others=et al, by The Appearance Research Collaboration |title=Identifying the psychosocial factors and processes contributing to successful adjustment to disfiguring conditions: Final Report. |journal=The Appearance Research Collaboration |publisher=University of the West of England}}</ref> The result of this programme of research was the publication of CBT-based [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781118523384 intervention manual] for professionals working with people with visible differences.
Also notable is UNITS, the first study to assess the psychological impact of altered appearance due to scarring and limb loss sustained during military conflict. Led by Dr. Mary Keeling at the University of the West of England, this study aimed to develop tailored support materials for affected veterans and their families.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Keeling |first1=M. |last2=Williams |first2=V. S. |last3=Harcourt |first3=D. |last4=Kiff |first4=J. |last5=Williamson |first5=H. |date=2023-12-18 |title=Mothers' Experiences of Their Sons' Appearance-Altering Combat Injuries: Distressed and Unsupported |journal=Military Behavioral Health |volume=12 |language=en |pages=74–85 |doi=10.1080/21635781.2023.2293896 |issn=2163-5781|doi-access=free }}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://scarfree.org.uk The Scar Free Foundation website] * [https://issuu.com/scarfree/docs/sff_impact_report_2022_final_issuu?fr=sZDY0MDUyMjQ5NjQ The Scar Free Foundation 2022 Impact Report] * [https://www.uwe.ac.uk/research/centres-and-groups/appearance Centre for Appearance Research, UWE] * [https://reconregen.co.uk/ The Scar Free Foundation and Health and Care Research Wales Programme of Regenerative Medicine]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Scar Free Foundation, The}} Category:Charities based in the United Kingdom Category:Charitable trusts Category:1999 establishments in the United Kingdom