Cancer Research UK invest £175 million in Cambridge research
It's the single largest grant ever awarded by the charity, outside of London
Last updated 15th Oct 2024
Cancer Research UK has awarded £175 million to its Cambridge Institute - the largest ever single grant from the charity outside of London.
It's Cambridge site will look to continue its world-class research into how cancers develop, grow and spread.
The funding will be utilised to gain international talent and ground-breaking equipment, to aid further investigation.
Cancer Research UK say the grant boosts their "unwavering commitment towards its mission to beat cancer" with exciting new research programmes to be included.
The Institute in Cambridge works on several areas, including understanding cancers, unravelling tumour interactions, detecting cancers and looking at personalised medicine.
Research has led to cancer death rates falling by 10% across the UK over the past decade, but over 37,000 people in the East of England are still diagnosed.
Director of the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Professor Greg Hannon, said:
“In a golden era for life sciences, this funding bolsters Cambridge as a major global hub for cancer research on an increasingly competitive worldwide stage and will greatly aid the recruitment of top-tier international talent.
“Research from the Institute has already made a positive impact for patients and their families, from the development of innovative technologies, diagnostic tests, and advanced imaging methods to the roll out of personalised medicine programmes for those with brain, breast, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers. We believe that only by embracing the complexity of cancer and how the disease interacts with the normal cells of patients can we move the needle on the hardest to treat cancers.”
Cancer Research UK Chief Executive, Michelle Mitchell, said:
“We are delighted to confirm this incredible investment which is a reflection of the world-leading research community at the CRUK Cambridge Institute. The funding will underpin long-term cutting-edge discovery research, as well as supporting researchers to find new ways to improve cancer prevention and treatment, while creating innovative solutions to diagnose the disease earlier.
“This kind of funding would not be possible without the generosity of Cancer Research UK supporters and philanthropists. “
Welcomed by cancer survivors
76-year-old Christine Nichols, from Great Yarmouth, has welcomed the grant, having overcome cancer twice.
Christine and her two sisters Jennifer and Dorothy have all had bowel cancer, and survived.
She had 12 doses of chemotherapy and keyhole surgery, and now, Christine and her family have vowed to do everything they can to help give others more moments with their loved ones by raising vital awareness.
Christine said: “I can do everything I used to do before I was diagnosed and that is truly remarkable considering the journey I have been on. It’s thanks to research and improved treatments that myself, Jennifer and Dorothy are still here and living fulfilling cancer-free lives, and that’s why I support Cancer Research UK. I understand more than most the devastating impact this terrible disease has on families and believe there is only one way to beat cancer, that’s through investing in science and more research. The world-class, life-saving work being funded right here in Cambridge is bringing hope to thousands of people like me now and, in the future, - long may it continue.”