#nomakeupselfie – some questions answered

This post is 11 years old, so some information may be outdated

Today you might have seen the fantastic news that the social media trend that started out as #nomakeupselfie, with women posting pictures of themselves without makeup, has raised a staggering £8 million towards our lifesaving research.

We didn’t start the trend, but we want to say a massive THANK YOU! to each and every one of you who got involved and donated to our work alongside your photo – all you gorgeous bare-faced women, all you men who plastered on the slap, the with-makeup selfies from the ladies who don’t normally wear it, all the kids and pets who joined in too, the guys with their socks and everyone else. You’re all amazing, and we can’t thank you enough.

As with any high-profile fundraising campaign – especially one we didn’t expect or plan for – people have had some questions, which we’d like to answer here.

How much have you raised?

So far we have raised over £8 million from text and online donations. This figure is still rising, and we’ll update this post as we know more.

Where is the money going?

It’s going towards funding our clinical trials research – these are studies involving people, testing kinder and more effective treatments and tests for cancer. So far this will enable us to completely fund 10 clinical trials, some of which we were previously unable to fully fund or couldn’t afford to fund at all. Nine of these are trials testing new treatments for cancer, and the other is collecting and analysing tumour samples from patients. Any remaining money will be put towards more of our research.

Which trials is it funding?

These trials will look at new treatments for sarcoma, acute myeloid leukaemia, neuroblastoma, liver, head and neck, breast, prostate, bladder and oesophageal cancers. The trials cover a range of treatment approaches including chemotherapy, hormone therapy and radiotherapy, as well as sample collection for a study looking at how a person’s genetic makeup affects their response to radiotherapy.

£8 million sounds like a lot of money for just 10 trials. Why do they cost so much?

Because these donations have been unexpected, we’re still working out the best way to spend all the money. So far we know that we can definitely support these 10 trials, but it’s likely that we will be able to support a lot more vital research from this money too. We can’t magic research projects out of the air overnight, but we’ll be doing our best to spend it in a way that will bring the most benefits to cancer patients.

Clinical trials run over many years and can involve hundreds of patients. The costs include paying to run the trial and collect data from patients, as well as analysing it to see if the new treatment works. The costs per year can range from around £30,000 per year to £100,000 depending on the particular study and the longer a trial runs, the higher the costs. The money raised from the selfies will support these 10 trials over their entire duration. The shortest of the trials is two years while the longest is 10, and in total it all adds up to more than 50 years of research time.

Why isn’t it going towards the cancer that matters to me?

There are hundreds of different types of cancer, and our work spans all of them. These 10 trials are just a handful of the hundreds of clinical studies that we are funding across the UK, testing kinder and more effective treatments and tests for many forms of the disease.

We’re also spending millions on pounds on fundamental research into the biological ‘nuts and bolts’ of cancer – ranging from specific types to more general biology – which will lead to new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat many different cancers in the future. You can find out more about the wide range of research we fund on our website. This blog post – “What about my type of cancer?” – is also worth a read.

Is it all going towards animal research?

No. As we said above, much of the money raised through this campaign has been earmarked for clinical trials. Clinical trials are medical research studies involving people, and do not involve animals. Clinical trials test new treatments, ways to reduce side effects of treatment and to control symptoms. They may also investigate the causes of cancer and new ways of preventing, diagnosing or screening for cancer. You can find out more about clinical trials on our website or in our research leaflet (pdf).

Some of our other research does involve animals, but only where it is unavoidable. At Cancer Research UK, research using animals is part of our efforts to beat cancer. For a start, it’s a legal requirement in this country that all new drugs (not just cancer drugs) are tested in animals before they’re given to patients, to make sure that they’re safe to use.

A great deal of our research doesn’t involve animals at all. Wherever it’s possible our researchers rely on other methods, including studying cancer cells grown in the lab, or even yeast and bacteria. But sometimes there is no other way to get the information needed to make progress against this terrible disease. You can find out more about how animal research is helping us to beat cancer in our previous post.

Why aren’t you doing trials of cannabis?

We are. We support the only two UK clinical trials of cannabinoids for treating cancer, through our national network of Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres, funded by Cancer Research UK and the devolved Departments of Health. One is an early-stage trial testing a synthetic cannabinoid called dexanabinol for people with advanced cancer, the other is an early-stage trial testing a drug called Sativex (an extract from cannabis plants) for people with glioblastoma multiforme brain tumours.

Our funding committees have previously received other applications from researchers who want to investigate cannabinoids that have failed to reach our high standards for funding. If we receive future proposals that do meet these stringent requirements, then there is no reason why they would not be funded – assuming we have the money available to do so.

For more information about the real scientific evidence around cannabis, cannabinoids and cancer, please take a look at our extensive blog post. And for those of you wondering about the “Canadian cancer cure that everyone is ignoring” (an interesting but unproven drug called DCA), read our post on that topic too.

Is it all going to pay your salaries?

No. This money has been earmarked for clinical trials, which will include some salaries for the researchers running and analysing the trial.

And on a more general note, we’ve heard some wild figures about the percentage of donations that go towards our life-saving research. The fact is that at least 80p in every pound we raise (80 per cent) is spent directly on research – a figure that compares well to most other charities in the UK. The remainder is used to help us raise more funds for more research. We are an independent charity and receive no government funding for our research.

Is it all going to pay your shareholders?

No. We are a registered charity – we don’t have shareholders, and nobody receives dividends. Our Annual Report and Accounts are publicly available online.

Why don’t you fund cancer prevention or research natural cures?

We do. We fund millions of pounds of research aimed at understanding the causes of cancer and how to prevent it. You can read highlights of some of these projects on our website. We’re also funding research into interesting naturally-occurring molecules – for example, we’re funding clinical trials of curcumin, a chemical found in the curry spice turmeric, for people with bowel cancer. And we’re running major trials of the off-patent drug aspirin, to see if it can help to prevent or treat cancer.

It’s all a conspiracy! Why are you hiding the cure?

We’re not. As we mention in our recent blog post on the top 10 cancer myths, here at Cancer Research UK we have seen loved ones and colleagues go through cancer. Many of them have survived. Many have not. To suggest that we are – collectively and individually – hiding ‘the cure’ is not only absurd, it’s offensive to the global community of dedicated scientists, to the staff and supporters of cancer research organisations such as Cancer Research UK and, most importantly, to cancer patients and their families.

Thanks to advances in research, long-term (10+ years) survival from cancer has doubled in the UK over the past 40 years, and death rates have fallen by 10 per cent over the past decade alone.

By definition, these figures relate to people treated at least 10 years ago. It’s likely that the patients being diagnosed and treated today have an even better chance of survival. Research works – we know it and can show it – and the work being done today will help to make an even bigger difference in the future.

Also, some people on social media have mentioned that royals never get cancer. This is simply untrue. Edward VII died of throat cancer, and George VI (the Queen’s father) had lung cancer and heart disease, due to smoking. Anyone can get cancer, whether pauper or prince, and although there are issues with availability of treatments around the UK – which our policy team are working hard to address – there is no ‘secret cure’ that is only available to the elite.

What about the people who texted the wrong charity?

We’re sorry that some people might have got confused about the right way to make their donation – the correct way to donate to us is to text the word “BEAT” or “beat” to 70099 (Ts and Cs here). As reported by the BBC, some donations went to the charity UNICEF, while other texts accidentally ended up enquiring about adopting polar bears. This has happened because several charities use the same text number, but with a different code-word.

UNICEF has told us that the donations they received in error will be given to Cancer Research UK – this was around £18,000. People who unintentionally donated to UNICEF have already been contacted to let them know the money is being transferred. If you have accidentally been sent a polar bear, please give it back to the World Wildlife Fund…

Kat

Comments

Jean Vaughan

11 July 2014

Please stop these texts to my mobile immediately. As much as I donate and support cancer uk I totally disagree with this type of fund raising. This really annoys me and would deter me from donating. I would like an email that has been stopped.
Leisha O'Brien

22 May 2014

Please can someone from CRUK let us know how we can stop receiving texts from you since donating in the selfies. I have tried to text NOINFO but it comes up with a message saying that i will be charged for the text, so I don’t want to send it incase it’s expensive. Please advise.
Sinulae

7 April 2014

Thank you
Easy to understand explanations about research etc.
Found your articles fascinating.
Verity Capel

6 April 2014

I think that we will beat cancer soon! I have also helped by texting BEAT which will hopefully help <3
James Dodgson

2 April 2014

I think your all doing a great job keep it up 2geva we all will beat cancer
Ann

31 March 2014

I donated to the no makeup faceie now I’ve got messages that I’m donating to all sorts have tryed to cancel them but not going through. If I want to donate I will but I want it to be who I want.
Julie Baker

29 March 2014

Wonderful news. and I an so pleased to hear that Sarcoma will be befitting from your trials.
kelly gerard

29 March 2014

I think its fantastic as my mum has cancer so i like to do my bit and it helps other people its just a shame the gov don’t fund it…..but we all put in and raised 8million pounds which is fantastic well done to everybody who did this as its for a great course and some people like myself have lost loved ones to this nasty disease……so well done everybody we gotta keep putting in as its only £3.00 which ain alot and your also helping somebody somewhere who like my mum is fighting it….. god bless you all and well done xx
Melly Smith

29 March 2014

This is amazing, our son is in remission with Ewing sarcoma and all is going well. He is/was on a trial and boy are we happy to have him with us today and longer besides. Keep up the good work. Mel x
Kat Arney

29 March 2014

If anyone has had a problem with their donation or any subsequent issues, please contact our Supporter Services team on 0300 123 1861 or email [email protected]. Thank you,
Kat
Mrs M Drury-Payne

29 March 2014

A brilliant, articulate, passionate and informative article Kat…well done!!! It’s great to know where all the money is going and how it’s helping. As you say, it’s important to make progress in reducing and curing all cancers. It’s also great to hear the specific cancers being researched for families who have been affected. My father in law unfortunately passed away from ALL (a form of leukaemia like AML) in his 30s. My husband and I are now expected our first child….a little girl and are going to collect and store stem cells from her placenta in case she ever needs them. Knowing that research may be funded in the future into how these cells may best be used makes my husband and I feel supported in our decision. Thank you CRUK to a great charity.
Mrs S Machin

29 March 2014

I was happy to make an original donation by text – then found out you have carried on taking money from me without my permission or agreement. This is disgraceful and surely unlawful. I shall never donate to your organisation again.
reply
Kat Arney

31 March 2014

Dear Mrs Machin,
We’re very sorry that this has happened. I have passed your comment on to our Supporter Services team but you may wish to also contact them yourself on 0300 123 1861 or by email at [email protected].
Best wishes,
Kat
emma oneill

29 March 2014

Got choked up reading this cannot believe how well everyone did just brilliant xx
kieragh

29 March 2014

What a fabulous post. Well done.
Elaine Dawson

29 March 2014

A brilliant idea to get everyone involved and feel as if we’re all making a difference for a small donation. Keep up the good work.
Sarah Brown

29 March 2014

Totally Amazing … Thank you. Our Daughter is 22 and was diagnosed with AML on the 3rd December,for those that have been in a similar situation you will know life stops and the floor from under your feet disappears but thanks to you all and the brilliant medical staff at Sourhend and St. Barts Laura is fighting back and in remission ❤️ Our life’s have been given back to us all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Angie

29 March 2014

I am just so humbled …. and glad to have been part of it… i lost my dad, my sister inlaw, my mother inlaw, and my father inlaw is currently undergoing chemo for prostate cancer….. its great to know where all the monies are going….. thank you for this.. so encouraging … xxx
Paula Solomon

29 March 2014

As this was so successful why not do something like this very other month as people enjoyed getting involved via the selfies and donated at the same time. This was a brilliant innovative idea.

We will always donate what ever we can and raise awareness out son Martin solomon 21yesrs old is alive because of the Brentuximab clinical trial which he received via the Christie hospital.

The drug put him into remission so he could have an autologous transplant. Martin now in complete remission and back at uni.

We know without brentuximab our lives would have been changed forever. Keep searching and discovering drugs like the one Martin had to save more young lives and keep families like ours together xxxx
Annette

29 March 2014

Thanks for letting us know where the money is going and please keep up the good work!!
Tess Davies

29 March 2014

What a fantastic idea, to tell the fundraiser a where the money has gone to! So often we never really know what happens to the pennies once they’re donated. Of course, this kind of approach initiates a ‘feel good’ factor which encourages the individual(s) to give more – which is a good thing! In this case, knowledge is power to the public, who in theory then give back to the charity! Genius! I love it! :-)
Tracey Warrener

29 March 2014

I think you are uniquely positioned to raise awareness about taking a precautionary principle towards household and in particular personal and beauty care products that contain chemicals that could cause cancers. It’s time everyone knew the delay risks theyay be taking and that there is another way. More popular purchasing of organic and safe products will reduce their price. You have lots of listening ears right now to audiences that may not have engaged. Use it and use it well.
Liza

29 March 2014

This is so amazing and brought a tear to my eye…I am glad we all donated..its amazing
Anna

29 March 2014

I find this amazing, just goes to show what can be done when we all put our minds to it. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the amazing work that’s done through cancer research.
Elizabeth brown

29 March 2014

What an incredible response ! So much has been raised and all by just being brave enough to show our “no makeup” face to the world. It means someone else gets to live a longer life filled with memories, hopes and dreams. My dream , a cancer free world. Thank you
Danielle Barnett

29 March 2014

I tried to donate via text to the number listed above but keep getting an error on my phone, does this short code not work in the USA?
reply
Kat Arney

31 March 2014

Hi Danielle,
The text code is for the UK only. You can donate online here if you would still like to support our work: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/donate/donate-money.
Thanks and best wishes,
Kat
Jackie Graham

29 March 2014

Thanks for the update. I’d love to know where the idea started as it seems it wasn’t a planned campaign? Inspired!!
Sheila smith

28 March 2014

It is amazing that so much money has been raised through the selfie photos and amazing that it will fund so many clinical trials and humbling too that so many people have become involved ,lets hope we can beat cancer
Gaynor Bevan

28 March 2014

Thank you, this has been very encouraging :-)
Jason Pye

28 March 2014

It’s good to read what the monies being spent on and how it will help. – glad to have helped.

Now I’ve packed my sock away for a while! ;)
Rosaleen Burke

28 March 2014

wanted to know abut ethics of research ie use of embryonic cells.
reply
Kat Arney

31 March 2014

Hi Rosaleen,
You can read more about stem cells and cancer research on our blog: http://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2009/08/14/behind-the-headlines-stem-cells-and-cancer-research/
Kat
Mandy Scott

28 March 2014

There’s been a few negative comments about selfies and trivialising the effects of cancer, however, I think it’s made people sit up and think. Cancer is the disease of the century and everyone at some point in their life will be affected. How this awareness is delivered is immaterial. We need more research which requires more funding. If I can assist in preserving my family and friends well being for the future, I would do just about anything. Well.. Within reason :-)
c coggan

28 March 2014

Brilliant I donated 3 £ what I could afford eg facebook photo
Mel Trowsdale

28 March 2014

If possible, can there be a public display of information about the patients who benefit from this £8m? It would be nice to know who has been helped and how…to see the impact a random event like this can have. I just feel that this can be a really important legacy to show.
ann

28 March 2014

Im sorry i sent a noinfo text as i didnt realise it was from urselves. Please feel free to contact me.
Reilly

28 March 2014

Wonderful idea, feel free to take my blood as long as I don’t pass out x
Helen Abbott

28 March 2014

The first person who started the no make up selfie deserves recognition and praise. Whoever it was,well done.
Brenda

28 March 2014

After donating £3.00 to txt 70007 I got a msg from yourself stating if I wish to opt out of receiving info txt to send a msg to 70060 stating NOINFO. When I went to send it my phone told me this was a charging txt so I cancelled sending the txt. What charge would I get for sending this
Sara

28 March 2014

Its amazing. Have you responded to any of the critics of this campaign? Would love to read if so.
PP

27 March 2014

Is 70555 also one of your numbers? My friends and I have used that number and received replies of confirmation.
Audrey

27 March 2014

Does any if the money raised go to care of cancer patients and supporting families effected by cancer ?? Ie Are u associated or part of Marie Currie ???
Jane Burt

27 March 2014

My daughter text BEAT to 70007 and had a text confirming her donation to Cancer Research Uk. This isn’t the number mentioned above, will you still have received her donation?
reply
Kat Arney

27 March 2014

Hi Jane, yes that will still work. Please thank your daughter for her support!
Kat
Emmanuel attipoe

27 March 2014

?
Emmanuel attipoe

27 March 2014

how much do you spend all together on clinical trails
Emmanuel attipoe

27 March 2014

how much do you spend on each thing?
Nicola

27 March 2014

Amazing to see neuroblastoma will have a trial here in the uk, what an amazing week for cancer research! Well done to all xx
Linda Bourke

27 March 2014

I received the confirmation text of my donation but cannot access the bit.ly/1fMulkE to Gift Aid it. Please advise, thank you.
Adrian Beney

26 March 2014

Thank you for telling us this amazing news. And also for one of the most brilliant bits of donor stewardship I’ve seen.
Elizabeth Smith

26 March 2014

My friends in Oz wanted to donate but 70099 ‘BEAT’ wouldn’t allow them. Is there another number or code they may use?
reply
Kat Arney

26 March 2014

Hi Elizabeth,
Your friends can donate online via our website – more info here: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/donate/donate-money. Thanks for your support!
Kat
Sarah

26 March 2014

Very well written and informative blog, keep us updated on the amount raised and well done everybody (love the last line too) :)
Jen

26 March 2014

Great post – so glad you’ve answered some of the ridiculous claims being made about cancer and cancer research. Great to see neuroblastoma on the list – horrible disease.
Tuesdayschild

26 March 2014

Great article to read and an even greater result from the money raised. Thanks to clinical trials, my precious dad is still with us, so I know first hand just how important these trials are and will always contribute to such a worthy cause. Thank you cancer research ☺️
Looby

25 March 2014

Thanks for this page….. and i absolutely love the last line :-)
Chris

25 March 2014

Great post, Kat. Seen some incredible bile and vitriol on Facebook today in response to the original news post. You’ve covered the lunatics’ questions very well, and tactfully considering.
Ruthie Kingston

25 March 2014

Will any of this extra money be used for the new Francis Crick Project? As we the public are aware how important basic research is to finding cancer breakthroughs?
Great news that this money has given Cancer Research UK money they didnt expect!
reply
Kat Arney

25 March 2014

Hi Ruthie,
This money has been earmarked for clinical trials. We have a separate fundraising campaign for the Francis Crick Institute called Create the Change. At the moment it’s focusing on major donors rather than the general public – you can find out more here: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/donate/become-a-major-donor/how-you-can-give/create-the-change

Kat

Comments

Jean Vaughan

11 July 2014

Please stop these texts to my mobile immediately. As much as I donate and support cancer uk I totally disagree with this type of fund raising. This really annoys me and would deter me from donating. I would like an email that has been stopped.
Leisha O'Brien

22 May 2014

Please can someone from CRUK let us know how we can stop receiving texts from you since donating in the selfies. I have tried to text NOINFO but it comes up with a message saying that i will be charged for the text, so I don’t want to send it incase it’s expensive. Please advise.
Sinulae

7 April 2014

Thank you
Easy to understand explanations about research etc.
Found your articles fascinating.
Verity Capel

6 April 2014

I think that we will beat cancer soon! I have also helped by texting BEAT which will hopefully help <3
James Dodgson

2 April 2014

I think your all doing a great job keep it up 2geva we all will beat cancer
Ann

31 March 2014

I donated to the no makeup faceie now I’ve got messages that I’m donating to all sorts have tryed to cancel them but not going through. If I want to donate I will but I want it to be who I want.
Julie Baker

29 March 2014

Wonderful news. and I an so pleased to hear that Sarcoma will be befitting from your trials.
kelly gerard

29 March 2014

I think its fantastic as my mum has cancer so i like to do my bit and it helps other people its just a shame the gov don’t fund it…..but we all put in and raised 8million pounds which is fantastic well done to everybody who did this as its for a great course and some people like myself have lost loved ones to this nasty disease……so well done everybody we gotta keep putting in as its only £3.00 which ain alot and your also helping somebody somewhere who like my mum is fighting it….. god bless you all and well done xx
Melly Smith

29 March 2014

This is amazing, our son is in remission with Ewing sarcoma and all is going well. He is/was on a trial and boy are we happy to have him with us today and longer besides. Keep up the good work. Mel x
Kat Arney

29 March 2014

If anyone has had a problem with their donation or any subsequent issues, please contact our Supporter Services team on 0300 123 1861 or email [email protected]. Thank you,
Kat
Mrs M Drury-Payne

29 March 2014

A brilliant, articulate, passionate and informative article Kat…well done!!! It’s great to know where all the money is going and how it’s helping. As you say, it’s important to make progress in reducing and curing all cancers. It’s also great to hear the specific cancers being researched for families who have been affected. My father in law unfortunately passed away from ALL (a form of leukaemia like AML) in his 30s. My husband and I are now expected our first child….a little girl and are going to collect and store stem cells from her placenta in case she ever needs them. Knowing that research may be funded in the future into how these cells may best be used makes my husband and I feel supported in our decision. Thank you CRUK to a great charity.
Mrs S Machin

29 March 2014

I was happy to make an original donation by text – then found out you have carried on taking money from me without my permission or agreement. This is disgraceful and surely unlawful. I shall never donate to your organisation again.
reply
Kat Arney

31 March 2014

Dear Mrs Machin,
We’re very sorry that this has happened. I have passed your comment on to our Supporter Services team but you may wish to also contact them yourself on 0300 123 1861 or by email at [email protected].
Best wishes,
Kat
emma oneill

29 March 2014

Got choked up reading this cannot believe how well everyone did just brilliant xx
kieragh

29 March 2014

What a fabulous post. Well done.
Elaine Dawson

29 March 2014

A brilliant idea to get everyone involved and feel as if we’re all making a difference for a small donation. Keep up the good work.
Sarah Brown

29 March 2014

Totally Amazing … Thank you. Our Daughter is 22 and was diagnosed with AML on the 3rd December,for those that have been in a similar situation you will know life stops and the floor from under your feet disappears but thanks to you all and the brilliant medical staff at Sourhend and St. Barts Laura is fighting back and in remission ❤️ Our life’s have been given back to us all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Angie

29 March 2014

I am just so humbled …. and glad to have been part of it… i lost my dad, my sister inlaw, my mother inlaw, and my father inlaw is currently undergoing chemo for prostate cancer….. its great to know where all the monies are going….. thank you for this.. so encouraging … xxx
Paula Solomon

29 March 2014

As this was so successful why not do something like this very other month as people enjoyed getting involved via the selfies and donated at the same time. This was a brilliant innovative idea.

We will always donate what ever we can and raise awareness out son Martin solomon 21yesrs old is alive because of the Brentuximab clinical trial which he received via the Christie hospital.

The drug put him into remission so he could have an autologous transplant. Martin now in complete remission and back at uni.

We know without brentuximab our lives would have been changed forever. Keep searching and discovering drugs like the one Martin had to save more young lives and keep families like ours together xxxx
Annette

29 March 2014

Thanks for letting us know where the money is going and please keep up the good work!!
Tess Davies

29 March 2014

What a fantastic idea, to tell the fundraiser a where the money has gone to! So often we never really know what happens to the pennies once they’re donated. Of course, this kind of approach initiates a ‘feel good’ factor which encourages the individual(s) to give more – which is a good thing! In this case, knowledge is power to the public, who in theory then give back to the charity! Genius! I love it! :-)
Tracey Warrener

29 March 2014

I think you are uniquely positioned to raise awareness about taking a precautionary principle towards household and in particular personal and beauty care products that contain chemicals that could cause cancers. It’s time everyone knew the delay risks theyay be taking and that there is another way. More popular purchasing of organic and safe products will reduce their price. You have lots of listening ears right now to audiences that may not have engaged. Use it and use it well.
Liza

29 March 2014

This is so amazing and brought a tear to my eye…I am glad we all donated..its amazing
Anna

29 March 2014

I find this amazing, just goes to show what can be done when we all put our minds to it. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the amazing work that’s done through cancer research.
Elizabeth brown

29 March 2014

What an incredible response ! So much has been raised and all by just being brave enough to show our “no makeup” face to the world. It means someone else gets to live a longer life filled with memories, hopes and dreams. My dream , a cancer free world. Thank you
Danielle Barnett

29 March 2014

I tried to donate via text to the number listed above but keep getting an error on my phone, does this short code not work in the USA?
reply
Kat Arney

31 March 2014

Hi Danielle,
The text code is for the UK only. You can donate online here if you would still like to support our work: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/donate/donate-money.
Thanks and best wishes,
Kat
Jackie Graham

29 March 2014

Thanks for the update. I’d love to know where the idea started as it seems it wasn’t a planned campaign? Inspired!!
Sheila smith

28 March 2014

It is amazing that so much money has been raised through the selfie photos and amazing that it will fund so many clinical trials and humbling too that so many people have become involved ,lets hope we can beat cancer
Gaynor Bevan

28 March 2014

Thank you, this has been very encouraging :-)
Jason Pye

28 March 2014

It’s good to read what the monies being spent on and how it will help. – glad to have helped.

Now I’ve packed my sock away for a while! ;)
Rosaleen Burke

28 March 2014

wanted to know abut ethics of research ie use of embryonic cells.
reply
Kat Arney

31 March 2014

Hi Rosaleen,
You can read more about stem cells and cancer research on our blog: http://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2009/08/14/behind-the-headlines-stem-cells-and-cancer-research/
Kat
Mandy Scott

28 March 2014

There’s been a few negative comments about selfies and trivialising the effects of cancer, however, I think it’s made people sit up and think. Cancer is the disease of the century and everyone at some point in their life will be affected. How this awareness is delivered is immaterial. We need more research which requires more funding. If I can assist in preserving my family and friends well being for the future, I would do just about anything. Well.. Within reason :-)
c coggan

28 March 2014

Brilliant I donated 3 £ what I could afford eg facebook photo
Mel Trowsdale

28 March 2014

If possible, can there be a public display of information about the patients who benefit from this £8m? It would be nice to know who has been helped and how…to see the impact a random event like this can have. I just feel that this can be a really important legacy to show.
ann

28 March 2014

Im sorry i sent a noinfo text as i didnt realise it was from urselves. Please feel free to contact me.
Reilly

28 March 2014

Wonderful idea, feel free to take my blood as long as I don’t pass out x
Helen Abbott

28 March 2014

The first person who started the no make up selfie deserves recognition and praise. Whoever it was,well done.
Brenda

28 March 2014

After donating £3.00 to txt 70007 I got a msg from yourself stating if I wish to opt out of receiving info txt to send a msg to 70060 stating NOINFO. When I went to send it my phone told me this was a charging txt so I cancelled sending the txt. What charge would I get for sending this
Sara

28 March 2014

Its amazing. Have you responded to any of the critics of this campaign? Would love to read if so.
PP

27 March 2014

Is 70555 also one of your numbers? My friends and I have used that number and received replies of confirmation.
Audrey

27 March 2014

Does any if the money raised go to care of cancer patients and supporting families effected by cancer ?? Ie Are u associated or part of Marie Currie ???
Jane Burt

27 March 2014

My daughter text BEAT to 70007 and had a text confirming her donation to Cancer Research Uk. This isn’t the number mentioned above, will you still have received her donation?
reply
Kat Arney

27 March 2014

Hi Jane, yes that will still work. Please thank your daughter for her support!
Kat
Emmanuel attipoe

27 March 2014

?
Emmanuel attipoe

27 March 2014

how much do you spend all together on clinical trails
Emmanuel attipoe

27 March 2014

how much do you spend on each thing?
Nicola

27 March 2014

Amazing to see neuroblastoma will have a trial here in the uk, what an amazing week for cancer research! Well done to all xx
Linda Bourke

27 March 2014

I received the confirmation text of my donation but cannot access the bit.ly/1fMulkE to Gift Aid it. Please advise, thank you.
Adrian Beney

26 March 2014

Thank you for telling us this amazing news. And also for one of the most brilliant bits of donor stewardship I’ve seen.
Elizabeth Smith

26 March 2014

My friends in Oz wanted to donate but 70099 ‘BEAT’ wouldn’t allow them. Is there another number or code they may use?
reply
Kat Arney

26 March 2014

Hi Elizabeth,
Your friends can donate online via our website – more info here: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/donate/donate-money. Thanks for your support!
Kat
Sarah

26 March 2014

Very well written and informative blog, keep us updated on the amount raised and well done everybody (love the last line too) :)
Jen

26 March 2014

Great post – so glad you’ve answered some of the ridiculous claims being made about cancer and cancer research. Great to see neuroblastoma on the list – horrible disease.
Tuesdayschild

26 March 2014

Great article to read and an even greater result from the money raised. Thanks to clinical trials, my precious dad is still with us, so I know first hand just how important these trials are and will always contribute to such a worthy cause. Thank you cancer research ☺️
Looby

25 March 2014

Thanks for this page….. and i absolutely love the last line :-)
Chris

25 March 2014

Great post, Kat. Seen some incredible bile and vitriol on Facebook today in response to the original news post. You’ve covered the lunatics’ questions very well, and tactfully considering.
Ruthie Kingston

25 March 2014

Will any of this extra money be used for the new Francis Crick Project? As we the public are aware how important basic research is to finding cancer breakthroughs?
Great news that this money has given Cancer Research UK money they didnt expect!
reply
Kat Arney

25 March 2014

Hi Ruthie,
This money has been earmarked for clinical trials. We have a separate fundraising campaign for the Francis Crick Institute called Create the Change. At the moment it’s focusing on major donors rather than the general public – you can find out more here: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/donate/become-a-major-donor/how-you-can-give/create-the-change

Kat

Cancer News

#nomakeupselfie – some questions answered

How much have you raised?

Where is the money going?

Which trials is it funding?

£8 million sounds like a lot of money for just 10 trials. Why do they cost so much?

Why isn’t it going towards the cancer that matters to me?

Is it all going towards animal research?

Why aren’t you doing trials of cannabis?

Is it all going to pay your salaries?

Is it all going to pay your shareholders?

Why don’t you fund cancer prevention or research natural cures?

It’s all a conspiracy! Why are you hiding the cure?

What about the people who texted the wrong charity?

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Cancer News

#nomakeupselfie – some questions answered

How much have you raised?

Where is the money going?

Which trials is it funding?

£8 million sounds like a lot of money for just 10 trials. Why do they cost so much?

Why isn’t it going towards the cancer that matters to me?

Is it all going towards animal research?

Why aren’t you doing trials of cannabis?

Is it all going to pay your salaries?

Is it all going to pay your shareholders?

Why don’t you fund cancer prevention or research natural cures?

It’s all a conspiracy! Why are you hiding the cure?

What about the people who texted the wrong charity?

Comments

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Comments