Celebrating 25 years in partnership with Tesco

A lot can change in 25 years. In 2001, Tony Blair was prime minister, a pint of milk cost 55p and median five-year cancer survival was 43.6%. It was also the year Tesco began sponsoring our Race for Life events.

Since then, we’ve built a longstanding, sector-leading partnership with Tesco that’s raised more than £75m to help beat cancer. From bake sales and bucket collections to golf days, marathons and treks, we’re continually blown away by the support and enthusiasm of Tesco’s staff and customers for our cause.

Today, median five-year cancer survival has risen to 55%, which means more people living longer, better lives thanks to advances in preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer that Tesco has helped make possible.

Race for Life participants running together beneath a “Together we will beat cancer” banner.

But as well as fundraising for life-saving research, over the past two decades Tesco has worked with us to help beat cancer by inspiring people to live healthier lives. In 2022, they introduced price promotion restrictions on foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt, despite delays from the UK Government to implement official regulations. They also met their target to increase the proportion of healthier products in customers’ baskets to 65% at the start of 2026.

What’s more, we’ve worked closely with Tesco pharmacies to help break down the barriers that people face in seeking help for possible symptoms of cancer. Our campaigns prompt people who experience something that’s unusual for them to ask for information and support while they’re in store, offering private consultations with a pharmacist without needing an appointment.

Every step we take towards beating cancer is thanks to our supporters and partners like Tesco. We’re incredibly grateful to Tesco for their ongoing support and we congratulate them on reaching these milestones. They represent an exceptional commitment to improving the health of the nation across generations and creating a legacy to be proud of.

- Eve Mitchell, Associate Director of Supporter Relations at Cancer Research UK.

Tesco is now our longest-standing partner. And that long-term commitment really matters because saving and improving lives takes time, but it also makes time – giving millions of people affected by cancer more precious moments with their loved ones.

Together, we’ve powered extraordinary progress. And after 25 years, we’re just getting started.