DEMAND - a really inspirational organisation!

Demand was approached in the summer of 2008 by Claire Guest, who is conducting research in the area of dogs who can detect cancer cells in samples of urine. The dogs smell small samples which are contained in plastic vials. The object of this research is to confirm or otherwise, the dog’s ability to do this successfully. If confirmed, a machine will be developed that will mimic the dog’s cancer-detecting ability which will lead to a low-cost but effective cancer-screening programme for all. Early diagnosis can dramatically increase the likelihood of surviving certain types of cancer.

      The designers from Demand were invited by Claire to see how her research was conducted at the specially adapted premises near Aylesbury. The procedure was observed and discussed with the research assistants to see how it could be speeded up. It was agreed that some form of apparatus would assist them in their work and one of the designers at Demand was allocated the project.

A concept was sketched out, then more detailed drawings were produced in a 3D parametric modelling application before a prototype machine was constructed in the workshop. This was taken for testing in August 2008.

  The apparatus consists of a ‘carousel’ containing eight ‘stations’, each of which holds a sample containing urine. This urine may or may not contain cancerous cells. The dogs go to each ‘station’ in turn and indicate to the research assistant which sample, if any, contain these cells.

 Claire and her assistants are delighted with what Demand have designed and made for them. They say that it speeds up their research programme by hours each day.

Paralympic cyclist David Stone (left), who took part in our first Yorkshire 100km Road Bike Race has won a Gold medal in Beijing. 

Congratulations David!

Pete is undertaking a 3200 mile bike ride at his own expense to raise money for us. He will be riding his Harley Davidson from Huddersfield to Croatia. Every penny that Pete raises will be helping DEMAND design and manufacture more bespoke equipment for disabled people. To sponsor Pete, please click here.

This event will be taking place this weekend.

On Wednesday 25th June our Designer, Jennifer Fee and Placement Student, Jodie Smart visited Polam Hall School in Darlington to lead a Design Workshop with a group of Upper 4 students.

The students were shown a short presentation on DEMAND and given a design brief for one of our current projects. They then had just over 3 hours to design and present their idea.

Jennifer and Jodie were thoroughly impressed with the diligence and enthusiasm all the students showed throughout the day, asking pertinent and relevant questions.

After a presentation from each of the groups a winning design was chosen. The winners showed a great understanding of the manufacturing methods required to build their product and chose suitable materials, which were all presented to a very high standard on their concept board.

Winners - Serena Bury, Brittany Farmer, Lydia Beiken, and Alice Elliot

The Flora London Marathon was a success! We had 6 runners in total who all ran exceptionally well. If you haven’t sponsored a runner, but would like to make a donation, please click here

DEMAND is a registered charity that design and manufacture bespoke equipment for disabled people, where no off the shelf solution exists. We do not charge our clients for our work.

We are wholly funded by independant donations, we are not part of social services and do not receive any government funding.