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Friends of

Author: Helen Griffin

Latest newsletter OUT NOW!

Annual newsletter out now

Please take a moment to read our latest newsletter, which is hot off the press. This issue includes: News of our brand new Guardian Giving Scheme Our latest research projects (we’re funding more research this year than ever before – thanks to you!) Stories from our amazing supporters. Friends of Rosie Newsletter Spring 2021 final […]

Brownie superhero fundraiser

Brownie superhero fundraiser

We’re sending a huge thank you to eight year old Evie and her Brownie group for supporting Friends of Rosie with their Brownie superhero fundraiser. Evie has set up an art fundraiser asking the other Brownies to design their own child superhero. She is supporting Friends of Rosie is recognition of our Young Ambassador, Ruth […]

Cutting the ribbon at B&M Hulme

B&M

It was a fantastic start to the day today. We were up bright and early to help open the new B&M Store in Hulme High Street. Our wonderful Young Ambassador, Ruth Grace, was up early in the middle of her half term holiday to meet the B&M store team. After a tour of the fabulous […]

Easter eggstravaganza at Hale Prep

Hale Prep Easter

Hale Prep school proved themselves to be true chocoholics (and eggcellent fundraisers!) this Easter. They raised a cracking £1,000 for Friends of Rosie in their Easter egg raffle. Our huge thanks go to all the children, families and staff at Hale Prep school for their continued support of Friends of Rosie. Thanks to you we […]

Children’s charities unite for cancer research

Children's charities unite

Friends of Rosie and The Bradley Lowery Foundation are working together on a promising, new research collaboration for children with cancer. The two children’s charities unite to boost research into childhood cancer. In 2021, they will be partnering to fund new research into the detection and treatment of a rare type of childhood bone cancer, […]

Ewing Sarcoma – Mahesh’s story

Mahesh Vara

Mahesh, from Bolton, was first diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma when he was eight years old, in May 1998. His mum had become alarmed at a growth which appeared on his left thigh. The growth quickly engulfed his thigh. A family friend (also a GP) advised that the tumour should be removed. Only after it was […]

Thank you, Sir Alex Ferguson

Our huge thanks go to Sir Alex Ferguson, our long-serving Patron, for his recent donation to children’s cancer research. Friends of Rosie received the generous donation from Sir Alex through The Elizabeth Hardie Ferguson Charitable Trust Fund. He set up the Trust in memory of his mother. Sir Alex’s donation will go towards our three […]

A year running 5k everyday & raising thousands!

running 5k

We’re ending this week with a massive thank you and congratulations to our supporter Daniel Richardson. After a whole year of running 5k every, single day, Dan’s childhood cancer challenge came to an end last weekend. He ran over 1,830km and raised almost £3,500 (including Gift Aid), with every penny going towards vital new childhood […]

Using imaging data to reduce side effects

imaging data

Every penny donated to us matters. So, we want you to know how that money is being spent for the benefit of children with cancer. With that in mind, each month we share an update from one of our research teams so you can see the progress being made. All because of your support. We […]

Our latest research project is underway

facial disfiguration

Covid won’t stop us in our fight for children with cancer! We’re delighted that our newest childhood cancer research project has now started, following some delays due to Covid restrictions. We caught up with the research team at The University of Manchester to find out more about them and their priorities for the first few […]

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Helen Griffin
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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.

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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.