The Telegraph & Argus Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal is getting into full swing this week with two events raising awareness and cash for our £1 million fundraising quest.

On Wednesday, two leading cancer researchers will talk about the importance of our campaign and how it could help researchers create new, targeted cancer medicines here in the city.

And on Friday, Odsal Comedy Club at Bradford Bulls’ Provident Stadium will donate 20 per cent of its online ticket sales to the appeal, which hopes to buy scientists at the University the equipment they need pioneer new, less toxic treatments.

The lecture by Professor Laurence Patterson, director of Bradford University's Institute of Cancer Therapeutics (ICT), and Professor James McCaul, consultant maxillofacial/ head and neck surgeon at Bradford Royal Infirmary, will focus on how a crocus, the inspiration of our campaign, could improve the lives of cancer patients.

In 2011, scientists at the University unveiled a new treatment derived from colchicine, a compound occurring in the autumn crocus, indigenous in the UK. This cancer medicine, now under development in clinical trials, has been dubbed a ‘smart bomb’, because it only becomes active and detonates when in contact with an enzyme found in solid tumours, sparing healthy tissue.

Registration for Wednesday’s lecture at the University in Norcroft Centre will take place at 5.30pm and the event will begin at 6pm. Places are free but must be booked.

To book or for details, e-mail events@bradford.ac.uk, or call (01274) 236772. The fundraising will continue on Friday during the monthly Odsal Comedy Club night, headlined by Dave Twentyman, a rugby league fan.

The other acts on the bill are Phil Chapman, Pete Otway, Ben Briggs and Steve Haze. Organisers of the evening have agreed to donate 20 per cent of the sale of all online tickets bought before 6pm on Thursday.

Tickets cost £5 in advance from wegottickets.com/ event/ 224272 or the Bulls’ ticket office on 0844 8711490.

Tickets may be available on the door from 7pm.

We have joined forces with Bradford University, charity Yorkshire Cancer Research and principal supporter the Sovereign Health Care Charitable Trust, to buy the University’s Institute of Cancer Therapeutics a new proteomic mass spectrometer through our appeal.

To promote fundraising events call the T&A newsroom on (01274) 705295.