In 2006, Breast Cancer Campaign asked 56 of the UK's breast cancer experts for their views on current breast cancer research. The aim was to highlight key gaps in breast cancer research and help to identify the future challenges that needed to be achieved in order to gain the maximum benefit for patients.
History
In 2006, Campaign published "The History of Breast Cancer", a report that highlighted the key achievements made in breast cancer research over the last 2,000 years. The report aimed to outline how the money spent on research has not only advanced our knowledge of breast cancer but also directly benefited patients. In 2014 it was announced that Breast Cancer Campaign would be merging with the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
Breast Cancer Campaign Tissue Bank
The Breast Cancer Campaign Tissue Bank is a collaboration between four research centres. It aims to create a bank of breast cancer tissues for researchers to study. The four research centres are:
Breast Cancer Campaign have support the Off-patent Drugs Bill a Private Members Bill that would increase Government support for off-patent drugs where there is no incentive for pharmaceutical companies to support the creation of life enhancing breast cancer drugs.
The 'Spread the Word' campaign aims to increase efforts aimed at preventing deaths from secondary breast cancer.
Fundraising Activities
wear it pink
wear it pink is a UK-wide fundraising initiative organised by Breast Cancer Now. Held annually in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, supporters wear an item of pink and in return donate £2 each. The money raised funds around 100 projects, specifically breast cancer research throughout the UK and Ireland. This awareness emphasizes the need for improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure. wear it pink is the UK's original and biggest pink day during October. Set up in 2002 by Campaign to help fundraise for breast cancer research, since its beginning, the fundraising initiative has raised over £23 million for breast cancer research. Anyone can take part and it is popular with office workers, schools and community clubs. The 2011 Wear it Pink event raised £2.2 million for cancer research. The 2017 event will take place on Friday 20 October. As said by a Bolton West MP, "I know people who have lost friends and family members to the disease and I would like to encourage local residents to support Wear it Pink to raise valuable funds for breast cancer research".
Other fundraising activities
Breast Cancer Campaign sponsors a wide range of sporting and non-sporting fundraising events. These range from running marathons to becoming a regional volunteer. All the money raised from Breast Cancer Campaign's events helps to fund breast cancer research. In July 2012 HEMYCA was also selected to be the official designer patron for the Breast Cancer Campaign charity, designing a dress for Leah Weller which was auctioned for charity RAISING £3000 and worn at London Fashion Week SS13. On 1 October 2012, buildings across London were lit up pink for the evening to raise awareness of Breast Cancer Campaign and Breast Cancer Action Month. This included Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Tower 42, the BT Tower, HMS Belfast, Nelson's Column, Trafalgar Square, Heron Tower and Somerset House. In 2011, Number 10 Downing Street was lit up pink by Breast Cancer Campaign to raise awareness of Breast Cancer Action Month.
