Introducing - Oracle Cancer Trust, LABC’s chosen charity for 2017/8

Oracle Cancer Trust is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to funding pioneering research into head and neck cancer. Over the past five years Oracle has spent over £1.5m in research that has resulted in real breakthroughs discovering kinder and better treatments for the 14,000 patients who undergo treatment for head and neck cancer in the UK every year. 

Head and neck cancer is a cause close to the heart of LABC President, Chris Griffith-Jones. “When I heard of Oracle, it seemed that someone had designed a charity for me. Tragically, in two short years I lost my sister Julie to thyroid cancer and my father Colin from salivary gland cancer.  The devastation of the disease affected my mother greatly and sadly she died last year as well. This disease cuts families in two. My aim for my Presidential year, with your support, is to raise as much money for research as I can and to raise the profile of Oracle and its fight against one of the most physically debilitating forms of cancer.” 

Head and neck cancer: the facts

Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer. But not everyone may be aware of the devastating impact of head and neck cancer. There are over 30 types of head and neck cancers that include cancer of the mouth, voicebox, nose, salivary and thyroid glands.

Cases have risen by over 90% since the 1970s yet funding into research is almost half of the research spend for breast cancer. Every 36 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the UK and the most common in parts of the world like India and Pakistan where it accounts for over 20% of cancer cases.

Because of the delicate and sensitive tissues in the head and neck area, patients undergoing treatment for head and neck can experience life changing side effects from surgery and radiotherapy treatment to treat their cancer. This can include facial disfigurement, permanent loss of taste, speech difficulties, loss of smell and the ability to swallow. 

Established in 1979, Oracle was founded to meet the urgent need to discover newer and kinder treatments for head and neck cancer. Since then we have worked tirelessly funding tests and treatments and investing in the pioneering scientific projects that deliver real long-term benefits to patients. Our research programmes and discoveries have resulted in breakthroughs in radiotherapy, drug development, and advanced surgical techniques. Now, 65% fewer patients are suffering with dry mouth after their radiotherapy treatment; pioneering immunotherapies which harness the body’s immune system to kill cancer are being developed in the lab; and blood tests now exist to track how well a patient is responding to their cancer treatment. Each project is selected by our team of world renowned cancer experts for their potential to advance our understanding of head and neck cancer.

Help us reach our goal

We're aiming to raise £20,000 for Oracle - and we're part of the way there with a fantastic £15,000 in five months! A massive thank you to all those who've helped us raise so much in so little time. Contribute to this great cause:

Donate now

Or find out more about Oracle Cancer Trust