Annual supporter update 2024/25

Thanks to you, we're outsmarting cancer

In your update, you’ll learn about how we’re: 

• harnessing artificial intelligence to make faster treatment decisions 

• using a fluorescent dye to help surgeons remove prostate cancer cells more accurately 

• tackling cancer inequalities 

• making personalised medicine a reality for people with bowel cancer 

And so much more. You’ll also hear from people like Katie, pictured above with her mum, who’ve shared their experiences to help shape a better future. 

Thank you from our chief executive 

Michelle Mitchell shares a heartfelt thanks in this short video.

Here’s how you’ve powered progress this year

259,229

of you walked, ran, jogged and skipped in our Race for Life events, raising around £37m to help drive discoveries. 

6,081

of you encouraged politicians to support our pledges ahead of the UK general election.

£65m

is what you donated in regular gifts so we can commit to long-term projects with the greatest potential to transform lives.

10,700

of you pledged a gift in your Will to drive discoveries for future generations – that's thousands more people than last year!

We’re outsmarting cancer by…

developing vaccines to prevent cancer

Last year, we told you about LungVax – the world’s first vaccine to prevent lung cancer. Now, we’re supporting more groundbreaking vaccine projects, including OvarianVax. Professor Ahmed Ahmed calls it “a big step towards a viable vaccine for ovarian cancer.”

investigating cancer biomarkers

We’ve now opened our National Biomarker Centre in Manchester – a cutting-edge facility transforming how we detect and treat cancer. 

Teams here are developing tests that analyse biomarkers – biological clues found in blood, urine, saliva and tumour samples.

transforming treatment for children & young people

We partnered with LifeArc to launch C-Further – a bold initiative to develop new medicines for children and young people with cancer.  

Right now, their treatments are largely based on adult therapies and can lead to long-term side effects. We’re working to change that. 

Every donation is helping to build a future where our loved ones might not have to face what so many of us already have. Research like this means everything and the support that makes it possible honestly warms my heart. People coming together to back research like this is a community effort on a bigger scale – it’s for all of us.

- Norva, Kent

Shaping government policy

Together, we’re turning evidence into action so everybody can live longer, better lives. Your voice helped us:

• secure a commitment for a national cancer plan for England

• welcome the passing of a 9pm watershed on junk food advertising

• witness MPs vote in favour of new legislation to progressively raise the age of sale of tobacco

Learn more about the progress we’re making and the lives we’re changing

You may also be interested in

Read our full annual report

Get more detailed information on how we spend your money and the progress we’ve made together over the last year. 

Get involved

Whether you fundraise, volunteer or pledge a gift in your Will, join our collective effort to beat cancer.

Help shape our work

People affected by cancer are at the heart of what we do. Join our patient involvement network and help guide our decisions. 

Alternative formats

We want everyone to access this update in a way that works for them. You can read your update in an accessible PDF. Please contact us if you’d like a different document format.

Read your annual update(PDF, 3.14 MB)