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Friends of Rosie to host international childhood cancer workshop

We are proud to tell you about our upcoming international childhood cancer research workshop. This important workshop will bring together 40 of the world’s top researchers and clinicians to discuss how better to target treatments for children with cancer.

Childhood cancer is the biggest killer of children under 14 in the western world, yet it attracts only a fraction of the attention and support given to adult cancer.

The international childhood cancer research workshop ‘Integrating Precision Medicine into Clinical Practice for Children with Cancer’ will be held in Manchester on 8th and 9th June 2022. It comes less than two months after MPs listened to impassioned pleas in the House of Commons for a concerted effort to bring together the very best in research, training, and treatment, to really change the approach to childhood cancer once and for all. The debate was prompted by the death of another little girl who had just died from childhood cancer.

Youngsters like five-year-old Rosie, after whom Friends of Rosie is named, die because there has been little or no research to find a cure. Those who survive often endure long and painful treatments which leave them scarred for life.

Supported by several of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies, the workshop will be opened by the Director of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Professor Rob Bristow and the medical journal, Lancet Oncology, will be present on the day.

Collaboration is key

Says Dr Sally George, Workshop Co-Chair and Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at The Royal Marsden Hospital, “Collaboration is key when it comes to research. Only by coming together in this way to discuss new ideas and share findings internationally, across research institutions, will we succeed in transforming clinical care for children with cancer.”

The event will connect paediatric oncologists, developing clinical trials of new treatments, with scientists, developing new technologies and approaches.  They will identify how they can better work together to improve outcomes for children with cancer.

Friends of Rosie Chair, Felicity Goodey, adds, “This international gathering is exactly the sort of initiative MPs called for during their impassioned debate. There has been some progress over the years but too many children have little or no chance of survival and most are left with life changing effects of treatment.

“We are indebted to the Chairman of our Scientific Advisory Board, Professor John Hickman, for suggesting this workshop and driving it forward. It has attracted the attention of some of the world’s biggest pharma. companies and we look forward to welcoming scientists and clinicians from around the world to Manchester.”

This workshop would not be possible without the vital support and donations from our supporters. Thank you for helping us to facilitate such an important gathering.

We will report on the workshop outcomes on our website.

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Helen Griffin
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07887 932293

Children’s Cancer Research Fund,
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Nancy Dykes

Nancy Dykes

Nancy, 11, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma when she was just 2 years old. She was treated with Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) in Germany but unfortunately relapsed less than a year later. The family were then sent to Germany for a second round of PBT. Although treatment helped to cure Nancy’s cancer, she has been left with lots of lasting effects which will require ongoing treatment throughout her life. Here Nancy and her mum, Antonia, share their story in the hope it will help others, raise awareness, and raise more money for children’s cancer research.

Watch Story
Prof John Hickman

Prof John Hickman

Why I am a Trustee of CCRF
 
I am a relative of the Larkin family and knew Rosie Larkin ( Friends of Rosie, now CCRF) when she had and then died of neuroblastoma, aged six. At that time, I was a scientist and professor at Manchester University, actively working on the problem of why some cancers do not die despite intensive and toxic therapies.  Seeing Rosie during her unsuccessful therapy and then attending her funeral, besides being emotional, drove me to double down on my own research as well as to support the Charity as best I could as a cancer researcher. I spent over a decade as the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the CCRF, when the Board moulded policies to ensure that funds raised for research into childhood cancers were distributed only to clinicians and researchers who had the brightest ideas that could impact of cancer medicine for children.
 
My role on the Board
 
As a Trustee,  I hope that my many decades of experience in cancer research and medicine can help the CCRF determine where best the funds that are raised can be invested in cutting edge research and medicine. I am also keen that the CCRF brings together UK and international experts in science and cancer medicine to brainstorm on how best to advance the treatment of childhood cancers.
 
My Background
 
I was a Professor of Pharmacology at Manchester University, working on drug resistance in cancer. I then moved to Paris, where I still live, to head cancer drug discovery at a French pharmaceutical company (Servier). I then headed an EU consortium for six years that brought together researchers from the pharmaceutical industry, universities and biotechnology companies, from all over Europe and the UK, to improve cancer drug discovery. I continue to be active in cancer health policy, publishing in the medical literature.
Katrina

Katrina London

Why I am a Trustee of CCRF

I have spent my professional career representing individuals and families affected by the devastating asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma, which has no cure and for which there are only a limited number of palliative treatments available on the NHS.

I joined CCRF because I wanted to bring my understanding of the need to raise awareness of less well known cancers and passion for the need to secure improved funding for research to children facing a cancer diagnosis.

My role on the Board

I am responsible for oversight of our collaboration agreements with other charities to co-fund research into cures and treatments for childhood cancers. I also manage our challenge events and help with community fundraising. 

My Background

I am a Senior Associate at Irwin Mitchell LLP and specialise in Asbestos Disease Litigation, acting on behalf of victims of asbestos related diseases and their families.  Over the years, I have undertaken a number of fundraising challenges to raise money for cancer research, including a 1000 mile cycle ride from Glasgow to Southampton.   

Carla

Carla Nuttall

Why I’m a Trustee of CCRF
 
I became a trustee of the Children’s Cancer Research Fund because I believe every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy and with everything to look forward to in life. Like many people, I’ve seen the impact cancer can have on families and I wanted to do something that could make a real difference. This started through my work as an ambassador for Cyclists Fighting Cancer, which supported young people and their families in finding strength, confidence, and joy through movement.
 
That experience shaped my understanding of the challenges families face and the importance of community-led support – but crucially, the clear need for that to go hand-in-hand with targeted research and long-term solutions.
 
This is why I’m so passionate about the work CCRF does and proud to contribute to a cause that gives children and their families, the greatest chance of living a life without limits.
 
My Role on the Board
 
I support CCRF’s mission by bringing my experience in brand, marketing, and communications to the board. My focus is on helping CCRF tell its story in a way that resonates with people – whether that’s families, researchers, donors, or the wider public. I work alongside an incredible team to strengthen CCRF’s voice, build trust, and grow awareness so that more children and families can benefit from the breakthroughs we’re helping to fund.
 
My Background
 
I’m the Executive Director of Corporate Affairs and Marketing for The Growth Company, a social enterprise dedicated to helping people, businesses, and places to thrive through its market-leading insight, employment, skills and business support.
My passion is to help the organisations I work with to communicate with clarity, purpose, and integrity. That’s why I’ve spent my career in strategic communications supporting organisations that want to make a positive difference – CCRF could not fit my sense of purpose any better.