The best UK cancer charities
Behind every breakthrough in the lab and every hand held through treatment is someone who cares: the scientists, nurses, youth workers and fundraisers who stand with people facing cancer. It's hopeful, determined work, and it means no one has to face cancer alone.
Four charities, each brilliant at a different part of the job.
Rather than a ranked list, we've picked a range of charities, so together they cover more than any one could alone.
Cancer Research UK
- Cancer Research
- Clinical Trials
- Nurse Helpline
Cancer Research UK was formed in 2002, but its history goes back to 1902 and the founding of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. Today it's the world's largest charitable funder of cancer research, working to beat more than 200 types of cancer. Its LungVax team is preparing to trial the world's first preventative lung cancer vaccine. Through Cancer Chat and its nurse helpline, it's there for people living with cancer right now too, so hope for tomorrow comes with help today.
Key stats
- Scientists, doctors and nurses supported
- 6,000+
- Clinical trials supported
- 100+
- People who took part in Race for Life
- 240,000+
- Interactions with Cancer Chat, its nurses and information
- 27m
Why we've included them
Cancer Research UK takes on cancer in all its forms, working to beat more than 200 types. Its clinical trials and a preventative lung cancer vaccine aim to change the outlook for whichever cancer a family faces.
Registered Charity: 1089464
Visit Cancer Research UK
Macmillan Cancer Support
- Cancer Nurses
- Support Line
- Financial Help
In 1911, Douglas Macmillan watched his father die of cancer and set up a society to make the experience of cancer better. Today Macmillan's nurses and professionals support people living with cancer across the UK. Its Support Line is there 365 days a year, with help on everything from treatment to money worries, and its Online Community never closes. Its volunteer Buddies offer a friendly ear when it's needed most, and that small human touch goes a long way.
Key stats
- People living with cancer supported
- 476,000
- Macmillan nurses and professionals
- 11,000+
- Potential benefits identified for people
- £112m
- Volunteers giving their time
- 31,000+
Why we've included them
Macmillan is there for everyday life with cancer, with nurses and a Support Line open 365 days a year. Its help with money worries and its volunteer Buddies make life with cancer a little easier, day to day.
Registered Charity: 261017
Visit Macmillan Cancer Support
Teenage Cancer Trust
- Teenage Cancer Units
- Specialist Nurses
- Youth Workers
Teenage Cancer Trust was founded in 1990 by Myrna and Adrian Whiteson, and opened the first cancer ward designed for teenagers and young adults at London's Middlesex Hospital. It's there for anyone aged 13 to 24 diagnosed with cancer, from diagnosis to two years after treatment. Its specialist nurses and youth workers care for young people on its units, in local hospitals and at home. Its Royal Albert Hall gigs bring stars together for them, and we love that bit of rock and roll.
Key stats
- Specialist units in NHS hospitals
- 28
- Specialist nurses and youth workers funded
- 116
- One-to-one support sessions
- 19,201
- Activities, from gaming nights to pizza
- ~1,000
Why we've included them
Teenage Cancer Trust runs specialist units in NHS hospitals for anyone aged 13 to 24 with cancer. Its nurses and youth workers care for them as young people, on the ward and at home.
Registered Charity: 1062559
Visit Teenage Cancer Trust
Young Lives vs Cancer
- Social Workers
- Homes from Home
- Grants
Young Lives vs Cancer, formerly CLIC Sargent, began in 1968 with a fund that helped families with costs like a father's train fare to visit his son in hospital. Today its specialist social workers stand by children and young people with cancer, from birth to 25, and their families. Its Homes from Home keep families together near hospital. Its campaigning helped win a £10 million travel fund in England, a lovely full circle for a charity born of a train fare.
Key stats
- Children and young people supported by its social workers
- 6,989
- Free nights in its Homes from Home
- 20,631
- Grants for travel, food and bills
- 4,889
- Welfare and housing enquiries answered
- 2,212
Why we've included them
Young Lives vs Cancer brings the whole family into the picture, supporting children and young people with cancer from birth to 25. Its social workers, grants and free Homes from Home keep families together and afloat through treatment.
Registered Charity: 1107328
Visit Young Lives vs Cancer
Four amazing cancer charities. Why choose just one?
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