Cancer Research Wales at 'crisis-point' in funding shortfall
The charity says demand for cancer research grants from scientists in Wales has outstripped its budgets in recent years
Wales is missing out on opportunities to save and prolong people’s lives because of a funding shortage for research into cancer- according to Cancer Research Wales.
The charity says demand for cancer research grants from scientists in Wales has outstripped its budgets in recent years.
The charity has been one of the main charitable funders of cancer research in Wales, since it was established in 1966.
Struggling to meet demand:
In recent years, the charity says it has struggled to meet the demand it's received for funding from cancer scientists.
Between 2021 and 2024, the charity had requests for £6.6 million of cancer research funding but was only able provide £3.6 million in grants.
That £3 million shortfall over four years meant that on average, just over half of the projects requesting money received it.
Crisis point:
But the Welsh cancer research charity is also warning that the situation is reaching crisis point, and that in 2025 alone, it faces a shortfall of £4.1 million – more than the previous four years combined.
Adam Fletcher, Chief Executive of Cancer Research Wales, said:
“Cancer is affecting more of us than ever with 24,000 cases expected to be diagnosed in 2035 compared to 21,600 in 2025, so the need for research to diagnose cancer more quickly and provide better treatments for this cruel and indiscriminate disease is greater than ever.
“Cancer Research Wales has been at the cutting edge of funding world-class cancer research in Wales since 1966, and we rely on the goodwill and kindness of the people of Wales to do this, but we are facing a funding crisis and need more support to continue with our important work.
Public support:
“Unfortunately, we cannot meet the current demand on us to provide research funding for cancer researchers across Wales, so the need for public support for us and our work has also never been greater” added Adam Fletcher.
They're now appealing for donations.