About Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK funds over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses based in the UK. They are carrying out world-class research into all aspects of cancer, from understanding the causes and biology of the disease through to developing better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat it.
The money you raise goes directly to help fund the pioneering work of Cancer Research UK, the world’s leading charity dedicated to saving lives through research.
We are hoping to raise £6 million from Shine in 2012. This money will make a huge impact and help save many more lives.
Our research near you
Did you know that 90 % of the UK's population live no more than 30 miles from one of Cancer Research UK's research sites?
Our research in London
We currently spend almost £147 million each year on life-saving research in London. The city is an important hub for our world-leading scientific and clinical research.
Based in the heart of the capital is our London Research Institute (LRI), which specialises in research to understand how normal cells in the body become cancerous. This knowledge will lay the foundations for developing new and more effective ways of preventing and treating the disease in the future. Some examples of their current research include looking at harnessing the power of the immune system to help beat cancer and understanding how tumours grow their own blood supply.
University College London, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry and Imperial College London are home to three of our Cancer Research UK Centres. Our centres aim to deliver world-class research, improved patient care and greater engagement with the local community.
Cancer Research UK also provides substantial funding to the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), one of the world's leading cancer research organisations. The ICR works in partnership with the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and has two sites, the Chester Beatty Laboratories in Chelsea and the Haddow Laboratories in Sutton.
Find out more about our wealth of other research across London.
Our research in Manchester
We currently spend just over £15 million each year on our life-saving work in Manchester. The city is home to one of our Cancer Research UK Centres, which enables researchers and doctors from across the city to share their expertise, improving the care of patients across Manchester and the surrounding areas.
At the heart of the Centre is one of our five world-class research institutes – the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research. The Paterson has over 400 scientists, doctors, students and support staff dedicated to helping fight cancer through groundbreaking research. Research at the Paterson Institute includes looking for ‘flags’ or biomarkers that could tell if someone has cancer or how well they are responding to treatment, and looking at new ways to target radiotherapy directly at cancer cells through the bloodstream.
Our funding is also feeding into an exciting new Drug Discovery Centre at the Paterson Institute. Researchers are working with teams at The Christie – a specialised cancer hospital next door to the Paterson, – to develop the cancer drugs of the future.
See more highlights of the research we fund in Manchester.
More information
You can keep up to date with our work by listening to our monthly podcast, following our award-winning Science Update blog, or signing up for our e-Newsletter.
Questions about cancer?
Cancer Research UK provides clear and easy to understand information for people affected by cancer.
- Visit CancerHelp UK for reliable, up-to-date information on cancer, its treatment and the latest research.
- Call our specialist cancer nurses freephone on 0800 800 4040 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
- Visit Cancer Chat and share your information and experiences with others affected by cancer.