Hope Against Cancer

Who we are

Hope Against Cancer is Leicestershire and Rutland’s local cancer research charity.  We were established in 2003 to bring cutting-edge research to our area and make clinical trials available to local people.  Since 2003 we have raised in excess of £6m and funded over 60 research projects tackling many different forms of cancer.

Our vision – Our vision is working for a future where more local people survive cancer.

Our Mission – Our mission is to fund innovative research that leads to improved treatments and better outcomes for people and that achieves the greatest impact in the local and national fight against cancer.

We work in partnership with local universities and hospitals to fund pioneering research to ensure that Leicestershire remains a hub of expertise in cancer research and treatment.

In 2012 we established and opened a dedicated clinical trials unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary to offer patients access to ne medicines and therapies.  We fund our very own HOPE Nurse there who adds to the care and support trials patients receive.

2 million people in the UK are living with or affected by cancer.  This is set to rise to 4 million by 2030.

Every year, over 250,000 people in England are diagnosed with cancer  and around 130,000 people die each year as a result of the disease.

Annual NHS costs for cancer services are £5 billion.  The cost to society as a whole- in terms of social, caring and other support costs – is £18.3 billion.

Because of life-saving research more people are surviving cancer.  Survival rates 

have doubled in the last 40 years.  But our survival rates are still worse than those for other countries that are as wealthy as us.

Around 5,000 people in Leicestershire are diagnosed with cancer each year and the region currently has hot spots of cancer associated with cultural and socio-economic factors and healthcare inequalities. There is over-whelming evidence to show that regions with diverse, local research have better health outcomes within their communities.

Between 2014 and 2017 Hope Against Cancer was instrumental in the city of Leicester becoming a cancer research centre of excellence, one of only about 15 in the UK.  We prioritise research that influences potential practice changes in early detection, prevention and treatment of cancers.  Our research projects have a clear benefit for patients across the region. 

The charity develops talent and helps train the next generation of local cancer researchers through our funding to support postgraduates and cancer clinicians pursuing a career in cancer research – a critical area for which national funding is being cut and limited. Hope also supports the development of new treatments through continuing support of our clinical trials nurse.