Partnerships and philanthropy: A catalyst for global progress on cancer

It’s almost two and a half years since we launched Cancer Research UK (CRUK) ’s long-term strategy, renewing our focus on making discoveries, driving progress and bringing hope to people affected by cancer. The five overarching objectives that we set out in the strategy – discover, translate, engage, partner and sustain – underpin all we do.?

We’ve made important progress against each objective, more of which you’ll be able to read about in our annual report and accounts, but I wanted to shine a light on the increasingly significant role of partnership and philanthropy in our work.

Partnering to transform treatments for children’s cancers?

September is always an important month for paediatric cancer research as charities, funders and other organisations highlight the work they’re doing as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.??

This year’s campaign takes on extra importance for us as we share the vision of C-Further. A pioneering international initiative from LifeArc and Cancer Research Horizons , C-Further will be dedicated to developing new medicines exclusively for children’s and young people’s cancers.?

Delivering new treatments is a complex and challenging process. Between 2007 and 2022, only two drugs developed specifically for childhood cancers were approved by the European Medicines Agency and five by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In contrast, 14 new cancer medicines for adults received FDA approval in 2023.?

Our mission to change this cannot be realised alone. It’s why we’ve partnered with LifeArc, and why we’re looking for likeminded individuals and organisations who can offer expertise or investment in drug development and innovative finance models.

More Research, Less Cancer?

Since we launched our strategy in 2022, we’ve entered 10 new transformational partnerships valued at ￡10 million or more, including C-Further, each one enabling us to go further and underlining the value of collaboration. ?

Earlier this year, we launched More Research, Less Cancer, the largest ever philanthropic campaign by a UK charity. The conversations that I’ve had and the support we’ve received since tells me that there’s an appetite for global coordination from individuals and organisations who are determined to accelerate progress.??

One of the campaign’s four priority areas – Cancer Grand Challenges – is a perfect example of the power of partnership and philanthropy. Like C-Further, it’s a research initiative that dares to think differently, with Cancer Grand Challenges empowering global, interdisciplinary teams to tackle the toughest challenges in cancer research. Something that wouldn’t be possible without the collective support of like-minded partners and donors.

The opportunity

Today, we stand on the brink of discoveries that will transform how we understand – and overcome – cancer and many other diseases. Discoveries that have the power to give millions of people more time with their loved ones.?

All of us want to see a world where people facing a cancer diagnosis have a better chance of survival. A world where we’ve made advances in our understanding of cancer and can better prevent, diagnose and treat it. And a world where people live longer, better lives.?

It’s why we’re launching C-Further with LifeArc, why we launched More Research, Less Cancer, and why we're always on the lookout for visionary partners and advocates that can help us achieve our mission. The opportunity couldn’t be greater.?

Find out more about More Research, Less Cancer and how to get involved, on our website.