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Philanthropic support powers progress, enabling our researchers to take risks, challenge, and innovate

chris gethin
by Chris Gethin | Philanthropy and partnerships

10 October 2024

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More Research, Less Cancer over an image of a researcher

Chris Gethin is the Director of Philanthropy at Cancer Research UK. Eight months after launching the largest philanthropic campaign by a UK charity, he shares his thoughts on the evolving landscape of high-value giving. 

Across the world, researchers and scientists are poised to make breakthroughs that could transform how we understand and overcome cancer and make a difference to millions of lives. But a lack of funding is holding them back. 

Earlier this year, a coalition of the world’s most renowned voices in the research community joined forces with Cancer Research UK to pen a ‘Letter to the World’, asking those with the means and vision to bring about a better world for people affected by cancer.  

Chris Gethin
Chris Gethin at the launch of the Crick's Skylab

Golden age of cancer research

As laid out in their letter, philanthropic support could accelerate a new golden age of cancer research. It could mean developing new blood tests that could detect cancer earlier, algorithms that could predict cancer risk, and new and better treatments for children’s and young people’s cancers.  

But to make these discoveries, we need global coordination. We need scientists to work together across disciplines. We need constant technological innovation and new pathways for translation. And we need radical thinkers who are determined to accelerate progress. 

Cancer research is progressing at pace. But we need to go further, faster.

That’s why we launched More Research, Less Cancer, calling on high-value donors and philanthropists to raise £400m to help tackle the disease.  

We set an ambitious goal, and are thrilled and proud to announce that, thanks to our  incredible supporters, we have reached the milestone of £200m. This increase in higher value gifts to Cancer Research UK, alongside the millions of generous donations we receive from the UK public, will help to drive progress to save more lives.  

The wealthiest could give more

Survey data recently compiled by Opinium on behalf of Pro Bono Economics (PBE) shows that wealthy people in the UK could give an estimated £2.8bn more to charity each year. With 1 in 6 people surveyed saying they could give twice as much as they currently do.   

As well as this, a report by the thinktank Onward pointed out that the wealthiest 10% of households now donate half as much as a proportion of their income as those in the poorest 10%.  

We must seize this opportunity to encourage and inspire people who could give more to do so both in their lifetimes and in their wills and change the future for people affected by cancer.  

Thank you to all our philanthropic supporters and their advisers who have joined the campaign so far and are helping us make the extraordinary possible.

Donors like Kamini Banga, Simon Collins and Alison Howe, who have shared the motivations for their generous support below. 

If you would like to find out more about the campaign or how we can work together, please contact me or visit the More Research, Less Cancer website.

Hear from our supporters

Kamini Banga, Alison Howe and Simon Collins are three of our long-standing supporters and members of More Research, Less Cancer’s Global Campaign Leadership committee.

Simon Collins

“We can enable scientists, we can facilitate the work, we can support them in what they do.” 

Simon Collins, Co-founder of Gold Collins

Kamini Banga

“As a cancer survivor, I’m indebted to the researchers working tirelessly to understand and find cures for the disease. Cancer Research UK’s work is saving lives. And with them, I can help save more. 

Kamini Banga, Chair of the Kamini & Vindi Banga Family Trust

Alison Howe

Cancer Research UK’s world class research is transforming how we understand and treat cancer worldwide. Through my philanthropic support I am helping them make a global impact for good. And that is deeply fulfilling. 

Alison Howe, founder and former managing director of Consultants International 

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