40 YEARS OF FIGHTING CHILDHOOD CANCER
We are proud to celebrate 40 years of fighting childhood cancer.
Join us as we reflect on our achievements and look ahead to how we can make a difference to children like Pippa in the next 40 years.
Help fund future research
Help fill our virtual research lab* with vital equipment
Around 100 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and often aggressive cancer, every year in the UK.
We want to raise £40,000 to help fund future research that hopes to develop new, kinder treatment for children like Pippa.
Help us reach our target and donate today to help fill our virtual lab* with essential research equipment.
Or text FORTY followed by your donation to 70085** (Text FORTY40, FORTY20, FORTY10 to donate £40, £20, £10)
Our history
In February 1982, Janet and Neville Oldridge faced the heartbreaking loss of their five year old son, Matthew, to neuroblastoma. They formed The Neuroblastoma Society to honour his generous spirit.
During Matthew’s illness, and despite everything he was going through, Matthew wanted to help other children with neuroblastoma. His caring nature touched his parents and they promised to respect his wishes.
Antonya and Alastair Cooper had also lost their five year old son, Hamish, to the same disease. Both families felt strongly that neuroblastoma was an unknown cancer and they desperately wanted to raise awareness and raise money for research.
To honour Matthew’s generous spirit and remember Hamish, the two families formed The Neuroblastoma Society on 1st October 1982. In 2015 we became Neuroblastoma UK.
We remain dedicated to funding neuroblastoma research, to help develop new, more effective and kinder treatment for children. We are proud to work closely with researchers across the globe, collaborating with other charities to enable more funding for research and working with families affected by neuroblastoma.
40 years of fighting childhood cancer
““…as parents, we recognise that the small number of doctors and researchers who are fighting neuroblastoma need moral and financial support, and need to know that parents are on their side.””
We’ve funded nearly £9 million of neuroblastoma research since 1982.
Yet despite our very best efforts, research into neuroblastoma remains under-funded in the UK.
There’s been some progress with developing treatment.
But it’s slow. Only one new drug has been developed for children receiving front line neuroblastoma therapy since the 1980s.
Outcomes for children with neuroblastoma have improved.
Children with high-risk neuroblastoma have a much better outlook than they did 40 years ago. But it needs to be better.
More significant and dedicated investment is desperately needed to make breakthroughs in the treatment and diagnosis of neuroblastoma. With your help, we can fund future research and save more young lives.
Donate online to help fund future research today or text FORTY40 to 70085** and donate £40.
More ways to help
Shop with us
Wear our limited edition anniversary badge or our Gold Ribbon products.
Join a challenge
Choose your #40Sporty challenge and get a free sports top!
Raise money
Organise an 80s themed party, take on a 40km hike or bakes 40 cakes!
How your support makes a difference
Read about the research you’ve helped to fund,
meet the scientists you’re supporting and discover
how small steps can lead to big change.
Meet the children you’re helping
Read stories from just some of the children and families that we’re helping through research.
40th anniversary news
* Your donations could help fund laboratory equipment in addition to researcher salaries, supplies or other costs associated with a research study. However your donation is unrestricted and may not always go directly to research.
**Texts charged at standard network rate plus your donation. We will not collect or share your personal data so you will not hear from us by phone or SMS. 16+ users only.
Antonya’s son, Hamish, was five years old when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma in 1979 and died in December 1981 at the age of seven. Following his death, Antonya, along with other bereaved parents, helped set up the Neuroblastoma Society, now Neuroblastoma UK. Over 40 years on, and now facing her own battle with terminal cancer, Antonya shares Hamish’s story…