Charity: Institute for Cancer Research

Tuesday, 18 June 2024 08:00

By Dr Anguraj Sadanandam

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is striving to improve the lives of people with all types of cancer – including those with the most challenging to treat. Scientist Dr Anguraj Sadanandam explains why support for this research is vital

Half of people with cancer in the UK will now live for more than ten years after diagnosis. But while overall survival rates are improving, this is not the case for all types of cancer. Cancers of unmet need – those lacking an effective treatment – still have much poorer outcomes, accounting for half of UK cancer deaths.

At the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), our world-class scientists are working to better understand hard- to-treat cancers such as pancreatic, brain and lung cancer, as well as much rarer cancers such as sarcomas and mesothelioma – so that we can develop new treatment approaches that can help people live longer with a better quality of life.

The ICR is one of the world’s most influential cancer research organisations, with an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. Scientists and clinicians here are working every day to make a real impact on cancer patients’ lives.

We provided the first convincing evidence that DNA damage is the basic cause of cancer, laying the foundation for the now universally accepted idea that cancer is a genetic disease. Today, the ICR is a world leader at identifying cancer-related genes and discovering new targeted drugs for personalised cancer treatment – our scientists have discovered more potential cancer drugs than any other academic institution in the world.

One of those drugs, abiraterone, has been used to treat hundreds of thousands of men around the world with advanced prostate cancer –extending their lives and giving them precious time with their loved ones.

As a charity and a research university devoted to cancer research, we are in a strong position to tackle hard-to-treat cancers, which are often overlooked by the pharma industry and institutional funders. It is only by addressing all types of cancer, even the most challenging to treat, that we can hope to defeat this disease. But we rely on support to do this – from partner organisations, funders and the general public.

Sussex local, Dave World, has supported the ICR in memory of his mum, Moira. He completed the London Classics in 2022: the London Marathon, RideLondon-Essex 100, and the two-mile Swim Serpentine. “I lost my mum to pancreatic cancer 12 years ago. She was diagnosed in June and then died on Boxing Day, six months later. I was adopted, so she’d always been my rock – my everything – and to lose her was devastating for me. She was a very keen runner. I hadn’t really run before, just played football and sports, but I wanted to do something to remember her by, so I decided to run a marathon in 2016.

“I’m really committed to The Institute of Cancer Research – we’re at a stage now where defeating cancer is within our reach, and I want to help make that happen. And it’s a real team environment. There’s a brilliant Facebook group for people who are raising money for the ICR by taking part in events and everyone is so supportive. I’ve done events for other charities before, but the ICR supports you all the way through and that’s been really important to me.”

Support from people like Dave is crucial – to help us revolutionise treatment, harness cutting-edge technologies and offer hope to more people with cancers which are often complex and poorly understood.

Our work is ambitious – and we need your help to continue making more discoveries, finding more cures, and saving more lives. Your regular monthly gift can help support our research over several years, so it has the maximum possible benefit for people with cancer. Please support our work.

Let’s finish cancer, together - visit: www.ICR.ac.uk/GiveHope

Dr Anguraj Sadanandam

More from People

Age UK East Sussex Needs You!

Age UK East Sussex is looking for more volunteers, Rachel Kelly from the charity explains how the role often gives a sense of personal reward and comfort through helping others
Parkers Car & Truck Rental Celebrate 75 Years

There’s a reason Parkers Car and Truck Rental are celebrating their 75th birthday, it’s because they excel at what they do, so Robert Veitch went to visit and learn more about the vehicle rental market
Have a Macmillan Coffee Morning!

With this year’s Coffee Morning just around the corner on Friday 27 September, Adele Trathan speaks to Macmillan Cancer Support, who are calling on supporters to get involved again
"I quite like to end up with a setlist that involves a catalogue of human misery..." Nish Kumar on his return to stand-up comedy

With a brand new stand-up tour coming to the UK later this year, including a number of shows in Sussex, we talk to comedian and TV present Nish Kumar about his time on The Mash Report, getting pelted with bread rolls at gigs, and why he always looks forward to playing shows in smaller towns...
Pure Inspiration

Newly opened in Haywards Heath, Inspiration Gift Shop has the perfect present for every occasion. Hanna Prince pays owner Rachel Taylor a visit to find out more
Creating a Dream at The Pauline Quirke Academy

With performing arts known to play a leading role in helping children to develop many valuable life skills, we asked Lisa de Silva to meet with Florence Tingley and Rebecca Goffin to find out more about the local Pauline Quirke Academies
A Little Slice of Heaven

Farming, food and leisure are the three cornerstones of Heaven Farm, where you will find all three in abundance, including the newly refurbished Butler’s Pantry. Sara Whatley reports
Volunteer for Motor Neurone Disease Association

The Motor Neurone Disease Association is a charity that was established in 1979 to raise awareness, campaign for better care and support for people diagnosed with MND and their families, as Lisa Burnard from the charity explains
Riding to Success

Not a coffee morning kind of couple, Alison and Henry are soon embarking on an ambitious UK tour on their 1960s scooters, all to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society. Sara Whatley finds out more
Step out for St Catherine’s Hospice

St Catherine’s Hospice popular Midnight Walk is bouncing back to the streets of Horsham on Saturday 8 June, Adele Trathan explains how readers can get involved
Homes for Ukraine: Opening Your Home and Your Heart

As the conflict in the Ukraine continues, Homes for Ukraine scheme is still keen to hear from people that are interested in hosting a Ukrainian guest, as Paul Crompton from East Sussex County Council explains
The Joy of the Repair Café

Volunteers are central to the success of Repair Cafés across Sussex, so we sent Nicola Coughlin along to Lindfield Repair Cafe to talk to volunteers about their valuable contribution
An Unlikely Retirement

Hove resident Sylvia Holder tells Sara Whatley the inspiring story of how she set up her charity, The Venkat Trust, when she should have been kicking back in her retirement
Matters of the Heart

Jason Palmer, Volunteer Trustee and Director of The Sussex Heart Charity explains what this award winning charity do to save lives in Sussex
Rushfields: Celebrating 40 Years

As Rushfields Plant Centre in Poynings gears up to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, James Forryan talked to founders Colin and Kathryn Langridge about the keys to their longevity and what they’ve learned over their 40 years in business
Interview: Comedian Connor Burns brings his Vertigo tour to Sussex

With his new touring show Vertigo about to arrive in Sussex, we talk to Scottish comedian Connor Burns
A Double Dose: Interview with Michael Mosley and Clare Bailey

Husband and wife health gurus Dr Michael Mosley and Dr Clare Bailey are on a mission to bring healthy eating and living to the masses. They talk to Sara Whatley about their upcoming tour and the health benefits of eating a Mediterranean diet...
You've Got a Friend

Mid Sussex charity Befriended has grown so much since it’s beginnings in 2017. Gail Miller tells Sara Whatley what they have been up to
Charity: Community Transport Sussex

Community Transport Sussex is an unlikely hero, but one that plays a crucial role in connecting local communities, Marie Claire Macintosh explains more about this valuable service
Mat Osman: A Record of Creativity

Local boy, founding member of the band Suede and now author, Mat Osman speaks to Sara Whatley about creativity, his brother Richard Osman and making people cry

Charity: Institute for Cancer Research

Share

More from People