The generosity of supporters means Cancer Research UK can help fund world-class cancer research – leave a gift in your Will
It’s thanks in part, to our incredible supporters, including those leaving gifts in Wills, that we’re able to consistently fund world-class cancer research to help more people than ever survive their cancer.
In the 1970s, just one in four people in the UK survived cancer for 10 years or more. Today, that figure has doubled. We’ve come so far, but we still need to go further and faster.
In Scotland, around 33,200 people are diagnosed with cancer every year, and sadly, approximately 16,300 people do not survive their disease. We urgently need to advance research to improve survival for people with cancer. To achieve this, we need your support.
Achieving breakthroughs at the cutting edge of today’s knowledge
Our pioneering work across the UK, including in Scotland, benefits from the generosity of supporters leaving a gift to Cancer Research UK in their Will. In fact, legacy gifts fund a third of our research. These legacies are vital because they enable us to commit to long-term research projects to improve our understanding of cancer biology and develop new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. They will allow us to achieve breakthroughs at the cutting-edge of today’s knowledge and technological capabilities and continue to save lives for generations to come.
By equipping our researchers with tools to support their development and progression, we’re investing in the scientific leaders of tomorrow who will help create a world where people live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
Women of Influence initiative
We recognise that a diverse research community made up of people with a wide range of skills and perspectives is essential to delivering our mission to beat cancer. That’s why, in 2017, we set up the Women of Influence initiative. This mentorship programme champions women in cancer research and pairs early and mid-career female scientists with leading businesswomen, providing them with additional support at a critical time in their career development.
One of our researchers, Professor Karen Blyth, is part of our Women of Influence initiative. Based at the University of Glasgow, Professor Blyth is discovering how certain genes are involved in cancer development, particularly breast cancer. Currently, there are around 55,900 new cases of breast cancer each year in the UK, making it the most common cancer in women in the UK. We need to find better, more effective ways to detect, prevent and treat this type of cancer.
Cancer is caused by errors in our DNA. Our risk of developing cancer increases when errors occur in certain genes causing them to become faulty. Professor Karen Blyth is investigating a particular set of genes that are important for normal development but have also been linked to the development of breast cancer. She's found two genes that are strongly linked to certain subtypes of breast cancer and now she's exploring whether these genes are associated with other cancers too.
Professor Blyth’s research is deepening our understanding of breast cancer biology. These discoveries lay the foundations for future research, which could lead to the development of new treatments for people with breast cancer, giving them the best chance of surviving their disease.
Professor Blyth is dedicated to beating cancer for everyone. She said: “Cancer’s always been there, and it’s a fight we need to fight. Improving our understanding of cancer will allow us to develop better and more effective treatments that allow more people to survive. Thanks to gifts in Wills, I’m able to continue my research to beat cancer for future generations. My goal is that one day more people are able to live with cancer, rather than die of it.”
Thanks in part to gifts in Wills, we’re able to fund researchers like Professor Blyth. By pledging to support Cancer Research UK, you enable us to invest in transformational research and harness the knowledge we need to make a difference for people affected by cancer.
Our researchers, including Professor Blyth, are revolutionising what we know about cancer and how we can beat it. Join us to help bring about a world where people live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
Get your free gifts in Wills guide
To get your free gifts in Wills guide, visit cruk.org/pledgescotland