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Category: Research

New research grant call now open

research grant call

Thanks to our lovely supporters, we now have enough funds available to support a new research grant. We are inviting applications for pump-priming research grants focused on childhood cancer. Pump-priming is the process of helping a new project or idea get off the ground by providing initial funding. We are unique in our role of […]

Osteosarcoma project secures further funding

bone cancer research

A project researching the treatment and detection of osteosarcoma in children, funded for the past two years by Manchester-based charity, Friends of Rosie, has secured a further three years’ investment. The project will continue at The University of Manchester, led by Dr Katherine Finegan. The next three years of funding, starting in October 2019, is […]

Check out our new research section

research grant call

Being clear and transparent about how we spend money donated to Friends of Rosie is core to how we operate. That’s why we’ve created a brand new research section on our website. Our aim is to fund the most promising new childhood cancer research ideas. Our mission is for the projects we fund to secure […]

Positive preliminary results for brain tumour project

Scientific Advisory Board

For the past 18 months, Friends of Rosie has funded a cutting-edge research project to improve treatment options for children with incurable brain tumours. As it moves into its final research phase, we can share some of the positive preliminary results in using immunotherapy to shrink or destroy brain tumours in children. The Friends of […]

Our Research Projects

research grant call

It is our primary aim to fund the most promising new childhood cancer research ideas in the North West. As a result of our funding researchers are able to obtain preliminary results to back up their ideas, which they can then use to secure large-scale funding from the big cancer research charities and pharmaceutical companies. […]

The journey of a research project

Dr Jenny Adamski

In 2009, Friends of Rosie funded Dr Jenny Adamski, from the University of Manchester, in her research project into the effects of chemotherapy drugs at low levels of oxygen on tumour cells. Jenny’s study was completed in 2011, at which point she reported back on her findings at the NCRI Annual Cancer Conference. Friends of […]

£66,500 grant for immunotherapy study

Immunotherapy

We’re delighted to report encouraging results from our research project investigating the use of immunotherapy to treat childhood brain tumours that are resistant to conventional treatment methods. Results obtained so far and the great potential of this project have now led to a further £66,500 being granted by Friends of Rosie to continue this research […]

Grant to research osteosarcoma in children

Scientific Advisory Board

We’re very proud to announce a further grant award of £65,000 to fund a second year of research into the treatment and improved detection of osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer in children. Osteosarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer that usually develops in growing bones. It’s therefore most common in children and adolescents. Sadly […]

Treatment and improved detection of rare bone cancer in children

bone cancer research

Our second project, which commenced in July 2017, is researching the treatment and improved detection of osteosarcoma – a rare type of bone cancer that most commonly affects children and young people. There is an urgent requirement to develop novel therapies that target metastatic osteosarcoma. In addition, better detection is pivotal to improving outcomes for […]

Immunotherapy to fight childhood brain tumours

Immunotherapy

Over the last year we have funded a £65,000 project, conducted at the Manchester Cancer Research Centre facilities on The Christie campus in south Manchester, to research the use of immunotherapy to treat childhood brain tumours that have a poor prognosis. The project is investigating the feasibility of using cells called Tumour Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs), […]

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Helen Griffin
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07887 932293

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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.