Yorkshire Cancer Research is helping fund the fight: here’s how you can help
For almost a century, Yorkshire Cancer Research has been doing exactly what its name says: relentlessly working to discover and develop new ways to tackle the disease.
It is making an impact, too, saving lives by funding millions of pounds of research in the region every year.
Through analysing its extensive data, Yorkshire Cancer Research knows how it can improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer on a local level.
As a result it is funding programmes which will have a direct impact – not only in tackling inequalities between Yorkshire and the rest of England but also inequalities within the county itself.
Its work is also helping to influence national policy, so findings from work funded in Yorkshire is also helping people throughout the country – and beyond.
All this is thanks to the remarkable generosity of people and businesses across the county, who have been supporting ground-breaking research right on their doorsteps since 1925.
Hayley’s story
Bridlington mum Hayley Cragg is a fantastic example of someone who has benefited from research– so much so that she now stars in a Yorkshire Cancer Research TV advertisement in support of the charity’s efforts.
Hayley, 35, who had breast cancer while pregnant, is using her appearance in the advert to highlight the importance of research into cancer prevention and treatment and to help generate funding to support this work.
She was diagnosed in 2021 while expecting son Louie and had surgery, as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, to treat the cancer.
Now, just over a year after finishing her treatment and giving birth to Louie, she hopes to inspire others to check their breasts for signs of cancer.
Hayley said: “I wanted to do something to raise awareness of the symptoms to look out for and to let people know about the importance of charities like Yorkshire Cancer Research.
“Thanks to research, I was able to be treated effectively, even while pregnant. I now hope my experience can encourage people to go and get checked and attend their breast screening when invited.
“Taking part in the campaign has made me realise that I’ve been through a lot, and it’s nice to look back and see how far I’ve come. I’m stronger than I thought.
“If I can get through this, I can get through anything.”
Funding trials
Yorkshire Cancer Research has recently announced £3.8 million of funding for a clinical trial which will offer thousands of women in Yorkshire genetic tests.
The trial, which will begin later this year, will give them the opportunity to be genetically screened in order to find out if they are at a high risk of certain types of cancer.
Findings from the clinical trial could transform the way women and their families find out if they are at high risk of cancer, meaning they can take steps to prevent cancer if they wish.
They can also be screened more regularly, so that if cancer develops it can be found at its earliest possible stage, when there are more treatment options available.
Yorkshire Cancer Research is also pioneering exercise as a treatment for cancer, since evidence shows that exercise can help people prepare for treatment, increase treatment options, reduce side effects from treatment, lead to a quicker recovery and reduce the likelihood of the cancer coming back.
The charity is funding exercise programmes across the region to drive forward worldwide understanding of exercise as a treatment for cancer.
These and countless more initiatives demonstrate how Yorkshire Cancer Research has been in the vanguard of the fight against cancer over the past 98 years and how it continues to fund groundbreaking work with an impact extending far beyond its home county.
Another recent success story for Yorkshire Cancer Research has been its Leeds Lung Health Check initiative.
This has checked thousands of people in and around the city for early signs of lung cancer, which is often diagnosed at a late stage when treatment options are more limited.
It has helped provide the evidence to support starting a national lung screening programme.
How you can be a life saver
Public fundraising is vital to the continuing success of Yorkshire Cancer Research.
Every year, thousands of people at hundreds of events raise money to help its work to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease.
The fundraising pages on the charity’s website list events to take part in, as well as lots of ideas and tips on setting up one of your own.
It’s easy to do – and it helps save lives.