In 2004, a group of families who had lost children and young people to primary bone cancer came together. They wanted to tackle head-on the fact that there was virtually no accessible bone cancer information, and practically no funding for research into this disease. Determined not to accept the status quo, the families pooled funds they had already raised, and the Bone Cancer Research Trust was registered as a charity in 2006 with the first research projects being awarded in autumn of the same year.
Since 2006, the Bone Cancer Research Trust has been at the forefront of the fight against primary bone cancer. Thanks to support from the bone cancer community, the charity has now funded over 300 researchers from 187 academic institutions and hospitals around the UK, and more recently internationally. Additionally, the charity has positioned itself as the go-to destination for dedicated, trustworthy and reliable information covering every form of primary bone cancer and bone tumour. In recent years the charity's Support & Information Service has ensured that no patient or their family has to face bone cancer alone and it continues to promote public and professional awareness to improve speed of diagnosis and patient outcomes.
Now, 15 years on, the charity is celebrating this incredible milestone with its largest ever research grant call. The call, which invites researchers to apply for research grants across a spectrum of development stages and types ranging from £25,000 Idea Grants to £250,000 Translational Grants, is by far the charity's largest and widest ranging grant call to date. Dr Zoe Davison, Head of Research, Information & Support at the charity said:
We are incredibly lucky to be in a position to open this exciting research grant call. It has been possible purely due to the efforts of our supporters and their unwavering commitment over the past 12 months. Their support for our life-saving work through the pandemic has been inspiring. We are delighted to put their fundraising efforts directly into what they care about most - developing new treatments and finding new ways to fight this cruel disease.
Andy Lewis, Chair of Trustees for the Bone Cancer Research Trust said:
It is truly remarkable what we have achieved over the past 15 years, and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our incredible supporters for making all this happen! Without them, this incredible research grant call would not be possible. We are a small charity, with an incredibly supportive community, which means together, we will continue to make a difference for all those affected by this brutal disease, until there’s a cure.
For more details on the research grant call, please click here. Researchers with exceptional ideas that may exceed stated grant limits are also encouraged to contact the charity's Research Team to discuss their ideas further.
Celebrations and activities related to the Bone Cancer Research Trust's 15th anniversary milestone will continue throughout the year where the charity also aims to surpass raising £15 million for its life-saving work during its 15th year.