Story
On the 7th September 2025, the two year anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis, I will attempt to walk up Roseberry Topping 22 times, raising funds for the Lobular Moonshot project and honouring the 22 individuals diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer in the UK on that day — and every day thereafter.
Lobular breast cancer affects approximately 8,500 people in the UK every year, representing about 15% of all breast cancers. It is a distinct subtype that is often missed on mammograms, and as a result, patients are often diagnosed later and at a more advanced stage. Unlike the more commonly observed ductal breast cancer, lobular breast cancer has a unique growth pattern that spreads out in single file strands reminiscent of a spider's web. Despite this, very little research has been undertaken to develop a specific treatment for this type of cancer. Patients are typically given standard care for ‘breast cancer’ rather than therapies tailored to the unique biology of the disease. Scientific experts, clinicians and researchers acknowledge that more needs to be done.
Recognising this urgent need for change, the Lobular Moonshot project was founded in May 2023 by the late Dr Susan Michaelis and her husband Tristan. The trailblazing research initiative aims to secure the funding required to understand the basic biology of the disease so that specific treatments can be developed. It is powered by volunteers and is not classified as a charity; instead, it relies on grassroots support to drive its mission forward. With an impressive backing of 409 MPs, this campaign stands as one of the most widely supported bipartisan projects in parliamentary history. The scientists have crafted a comprehensive plan and are poised to begin their vital work — they are simply waiting for government funding approval.
But in the meantime, every few pennies help to get this urgent work started. This JustGiving page enables people to donate to lobular breast cancer research at our partner research organisation, the Manchester Breast Centre, which is part of the University of Manchester. The Manchester Breast Centre, established in 2005, aims to promote collaborative working among breast cancer specialists in Manchester, underpinning research and allowing access to a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities. Across the centre, world-class scientists and clinicians are working together to ensure their research makes as big an impact as possible, as fast as possible.
The Manchester Breast Centre is working closely with the Lobular Moon Shot Project to establish a programme of research focused on lobular breast cancer to find specific and effective treatments that will benefit patients with this form of breast cancer. All donations will directly support this research and should be made via this University of Manchester payment link.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the Lobular Moonshot project campaign, then please take a look at the website which provides information about the work to date, media coverage, the personal stories of those involved and much more.