Taking steps towards a day when no life is cut short by cancer.
We aim to bring forward cancer breakthroughs by expanding our global search, funding more bold ideas, and increasing impact in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Funding innovative cancer research since 1979.
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1979Two pioneers become original Curestarters
Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, a theoretical chemist, war hero and Nobel Prize winner, and Dr Colin Thomson, spearheaded the Scotland-based Association for International Cancer Research (AICR) with one mission – to conquer cancer.
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1980First funding grant awarded
AICR awarded the first funding grant to Dr Salmon of University College Hospital Medical School, London, to study the use of lasers to treat intestinal cancer.
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1984Fundraising success begins
Our sweeps programme – a direct mail prize draw – launches and proves fruitful, putting the charity on the fundraising map.
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1994The start of one of our biggest breakthroughs
We first funded Sir Professor Steve Jackson, who developed the drug olaparib. This has been used to treat 75,000 people with cancer worldwide – and many clinical trials are ongoing to see if olaparib can save the lives of more people with cancer.
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2000Another bold breakthrough begins
We funded Professor Dario Alessi, who investigated repurposing the diabetes drug metformin for cancer treatment. Metformin is currently being tested in over 100 clinical trials for the treatment and prevention of cancer.
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2012A discovery that shuts down cancer cells
We funded Dr Laura Soucek to develop a new treatment and prepare it for clinical trials. The treatment, Omomyc, attacks a protein in cancer cells and shuts down the cells’ ability to grow and divide. Defying sceptics, Laura's perseverance paid off and the first patients were treated on clinical trials in 2021.
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2014AICR evolves to become Worldwide Cancer Research
We changed our name and bid farewell to AICR and hello to Worldwide Cancer Research.
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2019Relocation to our new home in Edinburgh
We left our St Andrews base and moved to Edinburgh, where we are based today.
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2023Exponential growth of the Curestarter community
The Curestarter community grows by more than 12,000 in just one year. Curestarters care deeply about people affected by cancer and want to stop this devastating disease in its tracks. They are researchers, donors, fundraisers, lottery players, marathon runners, social sharers, ambassadors and more...each playing their own role in bringing forward cancer breakthroughs. Every contribution, big or small, adds up to make a huge difference to the lives of future generations.
Worldwide Cancer Research will deliver on its purpose, to stop cancer by starting new discoveries worldwide, by ambitiously expanding our global search, funding more bold ideas and increasing our impact in prevention, diagnosis and treatment. This means encouraging scientists around the world to keep asking the right questions. Questions that could improve and save countless lives.
We only fund the best ideas…
Our world-class Scientific Advisory Committee chooses which research projects we fund, using strict criteria
Our Board of Trustees oversees the charity, ensuring we meet our aims in both fundraising and awarding research grants
Through co-funding and working together, we can advance research quickly and support more innovative ideas
Our work to start new cures is governed by our core values:
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Curious: we question, learn and improve
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United: we collaborate, support and include
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Real: we are self-aware, honest and open
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Entrepreneurial: we create, pioneer and persevere
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Spirited: we are driven, ambitious and optimistic
Further your career
Join Team Worldwide and have a personal impact on starting new cancer cures. You will work and interact with teams across the organisation, in a truly flexible and inclusive workplace.
Your questions answered
How are my donations used to start cancer cures?
How does your money help start new cancer cures? Our short guide will take you behind the scenes of Worldwide Cancer Research.
Your questions answered
What makes Worldwide Cancer Research different?
Our Chief Executive Dr Helen Rippon explains what it means to be the only UK charity focused on funding discovery research into any type of cancer anywhere in the world.
