The difference you make 2024

The difference you make

Thanks to you, last year we raised £31.8 million from donations and gifts in Wills.

Thanks to our supporters we continue to be there for everyone who needs us, raising money solely to support The Royal Marsden. We ensure our nurses, doctors and research teams can provide the very best care and develop life-saving treatments, which are used across the UK and around the world.

From funding state-of-the-art equipment and ground-breaking research, to creating the very best patient environments, we will never stop looking for ways to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our volunteers, donors, staff and everyone who has supported us over the past year. Your support has made a vital difference to the lives of people with cancer and their loved ones.

Front cover: Kema Peat, Senior Healthcare Assistant.

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Financial highlights Together, we raised £34.4 million, including £31.8 million from donations and gifts in Wills. Thank you to all our inspirational and generous supporters who made this possible and ensured we could continue to support the ground-breaking work of The Royal Marsden for the benefit of patients across the UK and around the world.

What we raised

£26.4m Donations £5.4m Gifts in Wills £0.3m Grants and gifts in kind £0.6m Trading £1.7m Investment

Total

£34.4m

How we spent your money

£15.2m

£6.3m

£0.1m

Charitable support of the hospital

Raising funds

Investment and trading costs

Income received this year exceeded money spent which means we are able to invest in vital new projects coming up in the future.

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Equipment The state-of-the-art equipment we fund will enable faster and more accurate diagnosis, as well as comfortable, less invasive treatment for patients.

Last year we awarded over £4 million through two equipment grants, funding vital items such as an image intensifier which captures x-ray images of the inside of the body, bringing many benefits including improved image quality to support diagnosis and a more accurate patient dose.

This equipment can be used in theatres as well as in radiology, to assist with surgical procedures, such as fitting treatment ports, allowing for patients to receive treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The device ensures the port can be inserted accurately and comfortably, giving long-term access to the patient’s bloodstream.

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Goncalo Ferreira, Senior Nuclear Medicine Technologist.

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Aneta Gupta, patient at The Royal Marsden.

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My story

Aneta’s story 42-year-old Aneta Gupta was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in October 2022 after finding a lump and coming to The Royal Marsden’s Rapid Diagnosis and Assessment Centre (RDAC).

Aneta underwent intense weekly chemotherapy and immunotherapy and is currently undergoing radiotherapy.

Aneta benefitted from having a treatment port fitted as she has a severe phobia of needles.

The procedure was performed using a Mobile Image Intensifier, funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

“Having a treatment port fitted was the best decision I have made. My treatment became far more pleasant, quicker and much more manageable. Not just for me as a patient but for the staff who were treating me and had to deal with my needle phobia

and struggles with the cannula each week. It’s so much easier to access my treatment now, it’s made a huge difference to my quality of life.”

“I’m grateful to be in the best hospital for my care and to have access to all the best equipment and treatment. I really want to say thank you to everyone at The Royal Marsden for looking after me.”

It’s so lovely to hear about The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and how it supports the hospital.

People that are donating really are supporting the best cause.

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Naz Kotadia, patient at The Royal Marsden, with Adrian Fautly, Cancer Exercise Specialist.

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referred to the Rehabilitation Team to help with his recovery.

Treatment and care The Charity’s funding helps The Royal Marsden to provide exceptional treatment and care for patients, which is tailored to their needs and helps improve their emotional and physical wellbeing. Last year our £5.9 million quality of services grant, which commenced in 2020, helped to fund services such as psychological support for patients and their families.

The grant has also helped to fund the prehabilitation team, which encompasses a range of therapies and medical support. The team works with patients to ensure they are physically and mentally ready to undergo cancer treatment, such as surgery, which helps to minimise cancelled or postponed operations as well as aiding the patient’s recovery.

Naz, 66, was diagnosed with sarcoma in his right thigh in May 2022. He had surgery under the care of Mr Dirk Strauss, Consultant Surgeon, before being

Naz credits the team’s support and specifically Adrian Fautly, Cancer Exercise Specialist, whose role is funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, with giving him his confidence back. He has been able to walk again without using a stick and go back to playing badminton, his main goal following his surgery.

“At The Royal Marsden I had an MRI scan and then a biopsy, after which I was told it was sarcoma. I was shocked, but Dr Strauss was excellent,” says Naz. “I’ve been having the physiotherapy for just over a year now and just recently I was back on the badminton court, where I managed to play a bit – it was an emotional and proud moment.”

“Adrian has been wonderful. He provided me with a very detailed programme with a step-by-step guide to my exercises and it is so helpful for me.”

It is about having quality of life back and being able to do those small enjoyable things again.

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system, tackling unmet health and care needs.

Research The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity supports lifesaving research, enabling breakthroughs which will benefit cancer patients at the hospital, across the UK and around the world.

Last year our £5.4 million research grant supported the hospitals world-leading research programme, driving the development of new and improved ways of diagnosing and treating cancer.

The creation of the Integrated Pathology Unit, supported by the Charity, enables experts to develop new tests for cancer and speed up diagnosis for patients.

The study, led by Dr Angela George, Clinical Director of Genomics and Consultant Medical Oncologist in Gynaecology, monitors patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a very rare predisposition condition where people are at higher risk of developing several cancer types due to an inherited gene. Patients on the trial receive an annual whole-body MRI scan to help detect any cancer that might be present sooner.

Angela George said: “People with Li-Fraumeni syndrome have a very high lifetime risk of cancer caused by an inherited change in a tumour suppressor gene known as TP53, and there is good evidence to suggest that MRI scans can help to detect lesions early.

SIGNIFIED study In addition, funding from The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has supported the SIGNIFIED research study, which identifies patients’ cancer in its earliest stages. This study is also supported by the Small Business Research Initiative for Healthcare (SBRI) funding, which accelerates innovative technologies in the NHS and the wider health and social care 10

The study is making a real difference – some patients are having further investigations for cancer, and some we have also confirmed cases of cancer in patients who are asymptomatic, which otherwise would have not been detected and fatal in later stages.

Susie Riisnaes and Aanu Taylor at the microtome in the Integrated Pathology Unit laboratory.

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Nina Irwin, patient at The Royal Marsden.

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My story

Nina’s story After being treated for breast cancer twice, Nina Irwin, 70, underwent genetic tests and was diagnosed with LiFraumeni syndrome, which several members of her family since tested positive for. She was then referred to The Royal Marsden’s Cancer Genetics Unit where she underwent further testing and went on to have preventative surgery, which saved her from getting ovarian cancer.

Later Nina joined the SIGNIFIED trial and, following her first scan, she was diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer – an incredibly early diagnosis, which is extremely rare to receive for this tumour type. She underwent surgery and continues to be monitored on the SIGNIFIED trial.

“Research is the most important factor with regards to early diagnosis and improving cancer treatment. If cancer is caught

early, that is what will save more lives – like mine – and give people a better outcome. I’m grateful for all the incredible staff at The Royal Marsden, their skills and expertise. I’m under the care of quite a few different teams at the hospital and they all work so hard together, collaboratively, to look after me – it’s very humbling.”

“I’m also extremely grateful to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity for supporting the hospital with research like the SIGNIFIED trial. I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to the Charity, it really makes a huge difference.”

The MRI full body scan I had on the trial saved my life, there is no question about it. When I was diagnosed, I didn’t have any symptoms and was just going about my normal life.

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Patient environments With your support, the Charity helps create surroundings that best promote patient wellbeing and recovery, ensuring that patients are cared for in welcoming, dignified and calm environments.

We were delighted to be joined

by His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince William, Prince of Wales, and supporters at the opening of the Oak Cancer Centre in June last year. Funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity’s £70 million Oak Cancer Centre appeal, the state-of- the-art research and treatment facility will help accelerate the development of new treatments, offering hope for cancer patients worldwide.

The Centre will bring over 400 researchers under the same roof as patients and clinicians in the Kuok Research Centre, developing new treatments to benefit patients at The Royal Marsden and around the world.

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In the Olayan Day Care Unit, patients receive treatments in a bright and peaceful environment with generous space for family members to sit with them while they undergo treatment.

Waiting for results of suspected symptoms of cancer can be a highly stressful time. To reduce fear and anxiety, The Charles Wolfson Rapid Diagnostic Centre, helps those visiting for diagnosis avoid being amongst patients undergoing treatment. The Centre also includes dedicated consulting rooms designed to provide a calm environment for patients to meet their clinical teams.

Within the Goldman Sachs Centre for Urgent Care, patients who become acutely unwell will have a state-of-the-art facility where they can be quickly assessed, treated and, where possible, avoid being sent to a local A&E department.

Thank you to all our donors, fundraisers and partners who made the centre possible.

Oak Cancer Centre on the day of opening by HRH Prince of Wales.

Copyright Domenic Taylor.

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My story

Miranda’s story Miranda Ashitey was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was just 32 years old.

She was referred to The Royal Marsden, where she underwent a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

“Breast cancer runs in my family, so I’ve always been vigilant with checking myself and keeping an eye on any changes in my body.

One day I found a lump in my left breast, so I went to the doctors straight away and they referred me to the hospital.”

“After an ultrasound, mammogram and a biopsy, I got my diagnosis: primary breast cancer.”

After a period of remission following her initial treatment, Miranda fell ill again and was later diagnosed with secondary, stage 4 breast cancer that had spread to other parts of her body.

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She went on to have CyberKnife radiotherapy at The Royal Marsden, which was delivered by one of two machines which were funded by the Charity.

Since having this treatment, one of Miranda’s tumours is now dormant and the other three have shrunk considerably.

Chemotherapy treatment is now keeping her condition stable and has reduced the cancer in her liver so much that there is no evidence of disease there.

Miranda continues to have her treatment, which has now moved to the Olayan Day Care Unit in the new Oak Cancer Centre.

To be able to have treatment in the Olayan Day Care Unit will make such a difference for patients like me. I don’t feel lucky to have cancer, but I feel lucky being a patient at The Royal Marsden.

Miranda Ashitey, patient at The Royal Marsden.

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Thank you for supporting The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Your generosity helps The Royal Marsden continue to provide the best possible treatment and care for cancer patients.

Whether you have chosen to make a donation in celebration of a special occasion, given a monthly gift, participated in an event, donated to one of our fundraising appeals, or have left a gift in Will – your support makes a vital difference to all those affected by cancer. Thank you.

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Supporter Pasquale Cicchelli taking part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon.

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Find out more royalmarsden.org Get in touch charity@royalmarsden.org 020 7808 2233

@royalmarsden Registered Charity No. 1095197.

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