Cancer Research U.K.

Are The Worlds leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research. They have saved millions of lives through their groundbreaking work into preventing, diagnosing & treating cancer. Peoples chances of surviving cancer has doubled in the last 40 years, and they have been at the heart of that progress. But more than one in three people will still get cancer at some point. Their vital work, funded entirely by the public, will help ensure that millions more people survive.

In 2010/11 they raised £433 million, £24 million of that was raised by volunteer fundraising.

Vision

Together we will beat cancer

Purpose

Carry out World class research to improve understanding of cancer & find out how to treat, prevent & diagnose different kinds of cancer.

Ensure that findings are used to improve the lives of all cancer patients.

Help people to understand cancer, the progress cancer research is making & the choices each person can make.

Work in partnership with others to achieve the greatest impact in the global fight against cancer.

FAN (Families Against Neuroblastoma)

What is Neuroblastoma?

Neuroblastoma is a very aggressive type of childhood cancer. It is a cancer of the nervous system, & can therefore affect every part of the body. It usually starts in the adrenal glands, but it is also quite common for it to start in the neck or chest. The disease spreads rapidly to far reaching parts of the body, like the brain or the bones in the lower legs.

 Neuroblastoma affects around 100 children in the U.K. each year. Around 75 of those will be stage 4. The majority of diagnosis are classed as high risk.

High risk Neuroblastoma has unfavourable prognosis with therapies currently available in the U.K.. Less than 20% of children survive past 5 years, with the majority succumbing to the disease within 2 years of diagnosis.

More successful therapies are available outside the U.K. that have been shown to improve survival rate by around 20%. These therapies come at a huge cost & must be paid for by the family.

Neuroblastoma has an extremely high relapse rate. There is currently no U.K. protocol for relapsed Neuroblastoma. Relapses often occur in the brain & should this happen, the only treatment option is in America, costing in excess of half a million pounds.

About FAN

Families Against Neuroblastoma is the first port of call for anyone who has received the devastating news that their child or loved one has Neuroblastoma. 

They are solely dedicated to providing support, information & assistance in all aspects of dealing with Neuroblastoma.

FAN has undertaken a national awareness campaign called Cure Neuroblastoma for Me. They aim to educate the public about Neuroblastoma & its signs & symptoms.  

TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER