Autumn is here and our shops are gearing up for the busy period ahead.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and information about breast cancer, including symptoms and treatments, can be found on our About breast cancer webpage.
It's Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) season! And together, we're aiming to raise £620,750 between 20 September - 7 November for the 2026 SU2C cash campaign. From fancy dress to fitness challenges to bake sales and more, there's plenty of ways to get involved. Please speak to your shop manager to find out what your team has planned and find out more about the campaign. Thank you for all your hard work.
Julie Byard, Director of Trading
Cancer Research UK
In September, we published our annual report and accounts 2025/26 and sent out our annual supporter update.
Over the last financial year, we’ve continued to make significant progress in our mission to beat cancer. From pioneering vaccine programmes to developing new blood tests that could improve treatment for children and young people’s cancers, we’re making breakthroughs that save lives in the UK and around the world.
Our progress is powered by a collective effort and is only possible because of people like you. Thanks to your support, we generated £696m in income and spent £416m on new and ongoing cancer research - £13m more than last year.
Cancer Research UK is uniquely placed to drive progress against cancer. By uniting world-class researchers, fast-tracking discoveries into new tests and treatments, and inspiring millions of people to join our mission, we’re giving people more precious time with their loved ones.
Thank you for everything you're doing to support our work. Together we are beating cancer.
Our annual supporter update celebrates the many innovative and inspiring ways that members of our volunteer and fundraising community are helping us achieve our mission. This year’s update shines a spotlight on supporter Niru, an NHS doctor and beauty queen who hit the runway to help fund research.
Just months after finishing runner-up at the Miss India UK pageant, Niru was diagnosed with breast cancer. After she finished treatment, Niru used her passion for fashion to organise Courage and Couture, a glamorous fundraising show, raising over £20,000 for Cancer Research UK.
“I’m proud that I turned my cancer journey into something powerful.”
Read Niru's story in our annual supporter update
Over the summer, thousands of people across the UK took part in Strava activity challenges as part of Postcode Lottery’s ‘Crowns for Causes’ initiative to unlock funding for Cancer Research UK and four other charities.
Since the first challenge launched in June, participants have unlocked a staggering total of £1.83m for Cancer Research UK, turning everyday movement into vital funds for life-saving research.
And that’s not all – in August, Postcode Lottery challenged the public to find a hidden crown to unlock a bonus £20,000 donation for each participating charity. Congratulations to our 'Queen of Kindness', Mili, who discovered the crown in our Glasgow store.
Thank you to everyone who’s supported the challenge – every pound unlocked will help power progress.
This summer, we were joined by over 100 people affected by cancer to celebrate the launch of our refreshed involvement strategy. People affected by cancer play a vital role in shaping our work. By sharing their experiences and insights, they help us make health information clearer and more accessible, develop more inclusive policies, shape marketing and fundraising activities that are sensitive to the needs of people affected by cancer, and make more informed research decisions. Co-created with people affected by cancer, our new strategy sets out how we'll work together to make involvement more meaningful, inclusive and impactful.
More about patient involvement
By preventing cancer, we're protecting people from the challenges of a diagnosis, treatment and what follows, so they can focus on the moments that matter. At Cancer Research UK, our precision-prevention research is helping people live free from the fear of cancer.
In this episode of our podcast, That Cancer Conversation, Cancer Research UK science expert Dr Claire Bromley joins host Dr Nisha Duggan to explore the future of cancer prevention.
Join Claire and Nisha as they dive into the surprising clues hidden in the animal kingdom, the mystery of human “super avoiders,” and the cutting-edge research that could make cancer prevention more targeted and personalised than ever before.
A moderated discussion forum where you can talk to others affected by cancer, share experiences and get support.
As one of our shop volunteers you have access to tailored, free and confidential health and wellbeing support.
Find useful information and resources for volunteers and stay up to date with the latest news and updates.
If you received a link to this information by text message it is because you volunteer in one of our shops. If you’re no longer volunteering with us, please email us at volunteering@cancer.org.uk.
