Cancer Research UK (CRUK) says it’s latest fundraising push aims to be the “largest ever philanthropic campaign by a UK charity”.

The charity is looking to target high-value donors in a bid to raise £400m “to support transformational research”.

For the campaign the charity has linked up with more than 50 scientists, including three Nobel Prize winners, to urge wealthy philanthropists to fund cancer research.

“Fuelled by advances in AI and technology, the next decade presents a unique opportunity to transform the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer for millions,” according to a letter to high-end donors signed by 54 scientists.

“That’s why we’ve come together to ask you to help accelerate a new golden age of cancer research. With your support, we could develop new blood tests that detect cancer at an earlier stage.

“We could develop new algorithms that predict your cancer risk so we can halt cancer before it’s already begun. And we could develop new and better treatments for children’s and young people’s cancers so more young patients survive and do so without debilitating, life-long side effects.”

Money raised will focus on work being carried out at the Francis Crick Institute and to support scientists “at every stage of their careers and enable more innovation that translates into effective therapies and diagnostics for patients”.

Today, we launch the largest ever philanthropic campaign by a UK charity. More Research, Less Cancer aims to raise £400m to contribute to the work at @TheCrick, help fund @CancerGrand, support scientists at all stages of their career, and enable more innovations that lead to… pic.twitter.com/9Zg1IrsxaU

— Cancer Research UK (@CR_UK) February 22, 2024

“In the next decade, therapies for children’s cancers can be revolutionised, blood tests and personal health data will allow for earlier detection of cancer whilst those with complex cancers will benefit from access to personalised, life-saving treatments,” said Francis Crick Institute director Paul Nurse.

“But, if we are to continue making huge leaps in how we prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, we need the funds.”

According to CRUK the campaign “has already seen significant investment from philanthropic donations” from among others The Chris Banton Foundation, The Kamini and Vindi Banga Family Trust, and founder of Segantii Capital Management and owner of Blackpool Football Club Simon Sadler and his wife Gillian.

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