2 Children received a terminal cancer diagnosis today.
In 2026, this should’t happen.
Only around 2% of cancer research funding in the UK* is spent on research that is fully dedicated to childhood and young adult therapies, making your support and understanding vital in the fight against childhood cancer.
Your Support is Needed to Fund More Childhood Cancer Research
Childhood cancer rates have been climbing for decades and they’re still rising. While there have been amazing strides in treatment, progress has plateaued. Too many children still don’t survive and those who do often face serious side effects from the intensive treatments that saved their lives.
What we are working on
Understanding the roots of childhood cancer: We want to know why children get cancer in the first place, what’s driving the increase and whether we can prevent it.
Developing better treatments: We’re working on new ways to diagnose cancer earlier, predict which children need more aggressive treatment and create therapies that work better with fewer harmful side effects.
Supporting survivors: With over 30,000 childhood cancer survivors now living in the UK, we need to understand and address the long-term health risks they face.
Why we exist
Everyday 10 children will receive a cancer diagnosis. 2 will not survive, but of the 8 that do over half will face long-term and life-limiting side effects. Your support can ensure that more young people survive their cancer but also thrive beyond it.
With the right support and investment childhood cancer doesn’t have to be a life sentence. A major gift to Children with Cancer UK can provide vital, life-saving research.
Leah’s Story
Leah Cullen, 25, from Blyth, Northumberland, was diagnosed with tailbone cancer at just 13 and underwent intensive treatment that saved her life but left her with lasting late effects. Today, she lives with severe chronic pain and relies on a wheelchair outside the home – a daily reminder of the impact of harsh cancer treatments designed for adults, not growing children.
Doctors warned Leah that her treatment could significantly affect her chances of having children. The arrival of her daughter, Aria, one year ago was something she once thought might never be possible:
If someone had told me I’d be here with a one-year-old, I would have said that was impossible. Yet here I am, in the best place I’ve ever been. Things really can get better – not just in small ways, but in ways you never imagined.
Leah
Please Support Life Saving Child Cancer Research
Philanthropy
Thank you for considering making a donation to Children with Cancer UK. Our Philanthropy team are here to help guide you to make a lasting impact and achieve your philanthropic goals. If you are considering making a major gift, please get in touch:
*estimated amount based on data from the NCRI Cancer Research Database (CaRD) for 2018/19.
(To respect the dignity and privacy of those who share their story with us, we sometime use stock imagery and wording such as removing identifiable personal information including name and location.)
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