Stunned, Vose broke the bitter news to the company's chief executive, McKillop, who cursed in disbelief.

FORBES: Cover Story

"We know them from the cradle, " says Brent Vose, the head of oncology at AstraZeneca.

FORBES: Modesty ablaze

"We know them from the cradle, " says Vose , head of oncology at AstraZeneca.

FORBES: A Homegrown Pipeline

Ms Vose has disabled children aged 12 and 18, who use the units.

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Dr. Vose, AstraZeneca's oncology chief, first heard the results when a company statistician called him at a sales meeting in Los Angeles.

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Ms Vose has a child using each centre and is concerned private sector facilities will not be able to cater for them.

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Nicola Vose, who is leading a campaign to save the Cheviot View and Castle Dene respite homes, said causes like theirs were being overlooked.

BBC: Stars protest at Newcastle council arts cuts

"Our view was that it was such a devastating disease, let's get as many things going as possible, " recalls Brent Vose , head of oncology at AstraZeneca.

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Ms. BRANDY VOSE (Airline Passenger, Logan International Airport): They've taken all these precautions, but now it's the liquid thing, and it's kind of almost a moot point, you know?

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