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Two Global Cancer Leaders Announce Ambitious Strategic Alliance

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by Cancer Research UK | News

16 April 2018

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CRUK Beatson Institute

Cancer Research UK, the world’s largest fundraising medical research charity, and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the world’s first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research, are launching an ambitious new international alliance to speed the pace of progress against cancer. The overarching goal of the alliance is to stimulate leading-edge discoveries in cancer research that will ultimately help to save lives from this complex disease.

“Cancer is a global challenge and it means that we need to work together in new international partnerships to accelerate the pace of progress in the field.”Dr Iain Foulkes, Cancer Research UK

Both the AACR and CRUK share the vision that significant progress against cancer could be facilitated by providing cancer researchers with the opportunity to collaborate and come together to exchange ideas, irrespective of geography. Therefore, over the coming year, the AACR and CRUK will launch a comprehensive portfolio of initiatives that will provide the cancer research community with a platform for building links between laboratories and clinics in the US and the UK.

The alliance will build trans-Atlantic collaborations by establishing training and exchange programs, catalyzing scientific innovation by convening international meetings and workshops, and uniting the community to influence global research policy, among other important topics.

Unfortunately, the public health challenge posed by cancer is projected to grow in the coming decades, with the number of people who receive a diagnosis of cancer each year anticipated to rise dramatically from 15.2 million in 2015 to 24 million in 2035 worldwide. The AACR and CRUK believe that with the collective action of our two organizations we will have a major impact reversing this trajectory.

“The AACR is thrilled to be a part of this unprecedented alliance with Cancer Research UK to bridge the brain trusts of the US and UK cancer communities, catalyzing new opportunities for cancer cures.” said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), chief executive officer of the AACR.

Dr. Iain Foulkes, Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, said: “Cancer is a global challenge and it means that we need to work together in new international partnerships to accelerate the pace of progress in the field. Developing this unique and special relationship with the AACR has the potential to open up new opportunities, drive innovation, and further enhance global research collaborations.”