
Proton beam research project reaches important milestone
A two-year Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) research project at The University of Manchester has been completed, marking an important milestone in work to improve
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The Children’s Cancer Research Fund exists to provide ‘pump-priming’ funds of one or two years to childhood cancer research projects.
Pump-priming is the process of helping a project or idea get off the ground by providing initial funding. The Children’s Cancer Research Fund is unique in our role of kick-starting new childhood cancer research projects. Without that first bit of investment, many new ideas would never see the light of day and never be given the chance to potentially improve the treatment and outlook for children with cancer.
It’s our aim for the projects we fund to secure longer-term funding from other charities and organisations. We enable the researchers to obtain one or two years of data to then give them the evidence needed to take the research project to the next stage. It is always our hope that the projects we kick-start will eventually get to clinical trial stage and ultimately improve treatments for children with cancer.
We are members are the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and part of the Children and Young People’s Cancer Coalition (CYPCC).
The strength and experience of our Scientific Advisory Board members provides the Children’s Cancer Research Fund with a strong and trusted insight into current scientific priorities in childhood cancer research.
Our Board has links with many other research organisations and charities. This helps to ensure that we are effective in our research funding decision-making; we don’t duplicate efforts; and we prioritise on the right research areas.

A two-year Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) research project at The University of Manchester has been completed, marking an important milestone in work to improve

To mark International Clinical Trials Day (20 May), we are proud to announce our latest research grant award – pioneering research that could lay the

Thanks to initial funding from the Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF), researchers at the Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre have developed a blood test
We are 100% committed to funding new and innovative research to improve the treatment, diagnosis and prognosis of childhood cancer.







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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.
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.