Twitter Linkedin Facebook Instagram
Get in Touch
icom_donate

Donate Today
icon_get_involved

Get Involved
icon_friend

Friends of

Category: Research

Reducing the risk of facial asymmetry after radiotherapy

facial asymmetry

In 2020, we kickstarted new research looking into ways to decrease the risk of facial asymmetry in children with cancers in the head and neck. Your donations make this research happen. So, to keep you updated on how your donations are being used, we recently caught up with the project team at The University of Manchester […]

Research collaboration with Neuroblastoma UK

Neuroblastoma research

Friends of Rosie have partnered with Neuroblastoma UK to fund new research to improve treatment for children with advanced neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is a rare type of childhood cancer. Around 100 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma every year in the UK. Children with aggressive high-risk neuroblastoma are treated with incredibly intensive drugs and invasive procedures that […]

30th Birthday virtual event – Watch now!

30th birthday event

To celebrate our 30th birthday and to thank all of our wonderful supporters, we held a virtual event, on Tuesday 14th September, during childhood cancer awareness month. If you were unable to attend, you can watch the recording below. You’ll see videos from our fantastic Young Ambassadors, Ruth Grace and Daniel, sharing their experiences of […]

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, […]

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 […]

Friends of Rosie on BBC North West Tonight

BBC North West

Friends of Rosie appeared on BBC North West Tonight last week, highlighting the vital need for more children’s cancer research. As well as talking about our latest research project, which is one of the biggest steps forward in childhood bone cancer research in the past 40 years. Listen to Friends of Rosie founder, Lisa Larkin, […]

Scientists discover way to stop spread of devastating bone cancer in children

Research, co-funded by Friends of Rosie, could save more lives and lead to kinder treatments for children with bone cancer. Researchers at The University of Manchester and the University of East Anglia and have made what may be the most significant step forward for children with one of the most common childhood cancers in 40 […]

£70,000 Proton Beam Therapy project to treat sarcomas in children

Friends of Rosie has awarded a grant of £70,000 to kickstart promising new research into the use of Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) to treat sarcomas in children. The project is being led by researchers at The University of Manchester, with support from The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. It is investigating the biology of protons used […]

New research to help prevent facial disfiguration in children with cancer

facial asymmetry

Friends of Rosie is funding new research into ways to decrease the risk of facial disfiguration in children with cancers in the head and neck. Says Professor John Hickman, Chair of Friends of Rosie’s Scientific Advisory Board, “As children’s bones and tissues are still growing, current treatments for facial cancers in children can lead to […]

Donate Today
Friends of Rosie

Useful Links

Legal

Contact Us

Helen Griffin
Communications Manager
07887 932293

Children’s Cancer Research Fund,
c/o Slater Heelis,
86 Deansgate,
Manchester M3 2ER

Twitter Linkedin Facebook Instagram Youtube

© 2025 Children’s Cancer Research Fund | Charity No. 1046278 | Website by ATTAIN.

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.