Hello from Hope Against Cancer and welcome to our Winter 2025 newsletter
This year we have continued to support local cancer research and clinical care that changes lives.
We are supporting three Hope Nurses at the Hope Cancer Trials Centre, we purchased a new -80° freezer, we are supporting early stage ‘pump-priming’ projects at the Leicester Cancer Research Centre and we are supporting two clinical research fellows, Dr Shradha Bhagani and Dr Nikila Patil.
A -80° freezer is a vital piece of scientific equipment that underpins all research. It keeps samples stable and usable for a long period of time and allows for stability in their study. Such equipment is not usually included in research grants and Hope Against Cancer is proud to have been in a position to provide one for Leicester’s cancer researchers.
You will be able to read about Dr Shradha Bhagani’s work in this newsletter and you can read more about the Hope Nurses and Dr Nikila Patil’s work on our blog: www.hopeagainstcancer.org.uk/hope-blog
All of this work, our funding and the support Hope Against Cancer provides for the Hope Cancer Trials Centre at the Leicester Royal Infirmary all adds up to one thing… World-class treatment and care for local people with cancer.
We have been privileged to speak with some of these people this year and shared their stories in a series called ‘Why We Do What We Do’ on our blog.
In this newsletter, you will find Tony’s story.
One thing we have noticed that seems to cross people’s diverse cancer journeys and experience at the Hope Cancer Trials Centre is the amazing staff. They are often referred to as family. People have told us that they look forward to their visits as they know they have the best possible care where they are treated like a person, not an illness.
The incredible personalised and holistic care that staff at the Hope Cancer Trials Centre provide is done while they also attend to the approximately 200 clinical trials currently happening there. It truly is a special place that could not exist without you.
Thank you for all your support.
The development of the liquid biopsy, a technique that has the potential to revolutionise treatment for cancer and much more.
At the October Business Lunch, our guests heard from Dr Rebecca Allsopp (pictured above with HOPE CEO, Nigel Rose) about the development of the liquid biopsy in the Professor Jacqui Shaw group based at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. They believe that this technique will reduce reliance on more invasive biopsy procedures supporting earlier diagnosis and monitoring of cancer by reading markers in the blood.
The liquid biopsy is already in use in some areas of the NHS and private care, as well as in the American Healthcare system.
Hope Against Cancer has supported Professor Shaw’s (pictured left) research in the past and continues to do so through Dr Shradha Bhagani (pictured right) who is another member of the group.
Dr Bhagani’s research has a specialist interest in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), and the aim of the study is to seek biomarkers in the liquid biopsy which can predict an individual’s response to cancer treatment.
The liquid biopsy will do this by detecting components of cancer in the blood.
Standard cancer biopsies are usually taken once and then they will become a person’s ‘passport’ for their treatment. Liquid biopsies can be taken at regular intervals and responses to treatment can be checked close to real time.
TNBC accounts for approximately 15% of all breast cancers and is associated with poor clinical outcomes and so an understanding of which therapies a person will respond to, and which ones they won’t, is vital for their best care.
Chemotherapy is a ‘cover-all’ treatment and it is often referred to as a blunt instrument. It poisons cancer cells as well as healthy cells and so research that guides patients towards more personalised treatment is one of the keys to the future of cancer treatments.
Hope’s Head of Partnerships, Tracey Hallam, who has triple negative breast cancer, is one of the participants in Dr Bhagani’s study and has had samples taken regularly throughout her treatment.
In August, the ‘If Alice Can, Anyone Can’ fundraising cycle ride raised an amazing £114,000 for Hope Against Cancer. Research into triple negative breast cancer is a cause close to Alice’s heart and so the funds raised will be specifically directed to continue Hope’s support of this research.
If you would like to read more about the support Hope Against Cancer provides for local cancer research and care, our Impact Report is available now at: www.hopeagainstcancer.org.uk/impact-report
If you would like to request a physical copy, please email enquiries@hopeagainstcancer.org.uk or call 0116 270 0101
Tony’s story
This year, Tony celebrated his 80th birthday with a Caribbean themed party for around 60 relatives and friends.
This is quite a milestone as, four years ago, it was uncertain if he would still be around to
Tony’s journey with cancer began back in 2012.
Regular blood tests to check his cholesterol detected some paraprotein in the blood. After being referred to the Leicester Royal Infirmary for further tests, the advice from the consultant was to go home, forget all about the paraprotein, and get on with the rest of his life.
At the time he didn’t know that this phase of blood cancer development was called ‘Watch and Wait’, better known as ‘Watch and Worry’.
Tony heeded the consultant’s advice and over the next nine years lived life to the full with some memorable holidays and activities including a 400ft abseil, a zipwire ride in Snowdonia, and watching his two teenage granddaughters grow.
Meanwhile, the regular annual blood tests enabled an early detection of something more sinister happening in June 2021. Soon after, he was unable to walk from one room to another without becoming breathless and experienced constant dizziness.
He was quickly referred back to the Oncology Outpatients at the LRI for further tests before being given the devastating diagnosis of incurable Waldenström’s blood cancer.
Tony was offered the choice between conventional chemotherapy, “with all the potential side-effects this entailed”, or the opportunity to participate in a new drugs trial at the Hope Cancer Trials Centre.
He felt that whatever the outcome of these new treatments would be, future generations would benefit.
Tony considers himself to be “one of the lucky ones”.
Firstly, the cancer was detected early, secondly, it was growing very slowly, thirdly, the doctors reacted quickly to the situation and fourthly, he was accepted onto the trial. From his very first visit, Tony realised that the Hope Cancer Trials Centre was something very special.
It was “such a friendly and reassuring place to be when faced with unfamiliar circumstances.”
The initial treatment went well, with very little side-effects and things began to improve quickly. After six weeks the blood markers were all showing signs of returning to normal.
Tony looks forward to seeing and catching up with his nursing team, who have become friends. He said that “although it seems strange to say it, considering I am being treated for cancer, I quite look forward to these visits.”
Now in his 4th year of the trial, Tony returns to the Hope Centre for check-ups every three months.
He told us that, “the care and attention to detail shown by the nursing team is faultless, not only regarding the treatment but also, and just as importantly, the mental health support for both the person with cancer and their family”.
Tony went on to say that he “is eternally grateful for the expertise of the medical team at the Hope Cancer Trials Centre”, and he has been busy helping to raise funds for HOPE.
To date his Rotary Club have held three Sunday Lunches at the Sysonby Knoll Hotel, Melton, and for his 80th birthday, instead of presents, he requested donations to us which raised £455.
The blood cancer is still there and is currently incurable, but it is being controlled and enables Tony to have a good quality of life.
He finished by saying, “who knows what the future may hold but with the kind of advances in cancer treatment currently being done and the fantastic HOPE facility that we have right here in Leicester, the prospects look good.”
We can fund such incredible research and care thanks to your amazing support
Run Leicester
On the 26th October, 18 runners took part in both the 10k and Half Marathon events at Run Leicester on behalf of HOPE.
Our volunteers were out in full force at our gazebo, chatting with the public and handing out snacks and drinks to keep our runners fuelled.
A huge thank you to Gill, Anne, David and Renata, along with Emma and Jade from Smith Partnership, who brought amazing energy, and a samba drum to cheer our runners on!
Out on the course, Tracey Hallam and her son moved between three cheer points along the route, giving our runners that extra support boost!
The feedback from our runners has been overwhelmingly positive and several have already said they can’t wait to do it all again next year!
We’re delighted to share that over £12,000 has been raised so far, with donations still coming in.
A special thank you goes to our runners: David, Grace, Mark, Edward, Ashley, Liam, Brook, Marc, Yolandi, Charlotte, Ruth, Elena, Elle, Lucy, Suzy, Nicola, Rowena and Suly.
After much back and forth on a date that suited everyone, the team of skydivers were due to all take to the skies and fall back down on 20th September, unfortunately the weather changed everyone’s plans!
Other commitments meant a new shared date could not be found and so, instead, the adventurers jumped individually or as part of a small group, but they all still had an amazing time!
Euphoric was probably the word that summed up their incredible experience.
Thank you to Aneal, Jo, Nicky, Jack, Nicholas, Omkar, Stan and Hope Partnership Manager Martin.
As you will have read in the earlier research article, the ‘If Alice Can, Anyone Can’ cycle ride from Leicestershire to Norfolk on the August Bank Holiday raised a mind-blowing £114,000!
The ride was organised by Alice Greaves from Old Dalby with support from the team at Hope Against Cancer and a host of volunteers and sponsors. Nigel Rose, CEO at Hope Against Cancer, said that “Alice is one of the bravest, most courageous and determined young woman that many of us will ever meet. This money will be transformational for our experts at the Leicester Cancer Research Centre.”
Alice said, “the day was spectacular. I just want to thank everyone who has supported, sponsored, donated and rode with us.”
The ride will return in 2026, and you are able to sign up on our website: www.hopeagainstcancer.org. uk/hope-events
In September, the wonderful people in Ellistown held Ellistown LIVE 2025.
It was a day of fun, music and laughter that raised a fantastic £3,216!
Thank you so much to Paul and Lynn Jackson, the team and everyone who attended the day. Make sure you save the date for the next one!
Ellistown LIVE 2026: Saturday
Matt Whitley ran the famous Robin Hood half marathon for Hope Against Cancer because after his father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer, he said, “HOPE has given us exactly that…”
On the 19th October, self-professed ‘non-runner’, Gemma Chisholm ran the Rugby half marathon in memory of her dearest friend Jodie Johnson and to fundraise for Hope Against Cancer. Jodie was a wonderful advocate for HOPE, raising money and appearing in videos.
Before the event, Gemma said, “On the day of my run, it will be Jodie’s birthday. So, before I raise a glass to her, I’m going to run a half marathon.”
Gemma completed her run. She confirmed that she was in agony, but she was very proud to have done it for her friend and for HOPE.
Sue Smith and her son Joe, who are HOPE’s Head of Partnerships Tracey Hallam’s sister and nephew, recently took on a life-changing adventure on every level…
In November they took part in an expedition to lead blind and visually impaired people up to the South Base Camp on Mount Everest, and while doing so, they raised money for Hope Against Cancer, in support of Tracey and in memory of Sue’s friend Caroline.
It was a true test of endurance, resilience and the mind as they helped to guide people over tough terrain while striving to vividly describe the staggering landscape and scenery.
The Rotary club of Melton Mowbray Belvoir held its third annual Sunday Lunch in aid of Hope Against Cancer at the Sysonby Knoll Hotel in Melton in October.
This year it was a complete sell-out with almost 80 people taking over the whole restaurant. A raffle was held and with a donation from the Rotary Club the total proceeds raised was £600.
We are so grateful to Smith Partnership for choosing us as their Charity of the Year and for this wonderful cake sale which raised a brilliant £300.
A special thank you goes to the company’s Leicester Charity Champions, Jade Evershed and Emma SymesGoodman who organised everything in spectacular style!
Through four workshops held at Market Harborough Building Society on ‘assertiveness in action’ to boost confidence and ‘discovering your values’ to build a values-driven culture, Judith Chadwick and Blue Horizon HR raised a fantastic £100.
The Festival of Water at Foxton Locks was a free two-day event to celebrate the important role that the waterways of Leicestershire played in the rejuvenation of the nation’s canal network 75 years ago.
Hope Against Cancer’s long-term supporter John Edgar from North Kilworth Wharf attended the event and offered to share their stand with us.
To help promote awareness of HOPE, North Kilworth Wharf donated an incredible luxury narrow boat holiday as a raffle prize.
Thank you so much to Jo, Katherine and everyone from the Leicestershire Craft Centre for their excellent Crafty Cream Tea Social fundraiser, which raised a lovely £381.30!
On 4th April 2026, Dr Cathy Brown and her husband Andrew Brown will leave Land’s End on the first leg of a 1,103 mile walk to John o’ Groats in aid of Hope Against Cancer. This is an extraordinary undertaking, and we are very grateful for this amazing support.
To sponsor Cathy and Andrew as they take on the longest walk on our island and support vital local cancer research and care, please visit: www.justgiving.com/page/cathy-brown-5
Thank you very much to the Wigston and Knighton Floral Society for this fantastic cheque for HOPE.
Here they are presenting the cheque to our Volunteer Ambassadors Anne and David.
On 20th June, Shearsby Village held a delightful afternoon tea party in the Village Hall. Alongside delicious cream teas and choice of tea, coffee, Prosecco or cold drink there were stalls which included home-made cakes & savoury treats, a mystery book stall, tombola and a raffle. They raised an incredible £1000 for Hope Against Cancer and the world-class local cancer research we support.
The Oadby 50 Plus group is a lovely bunch of around 50 people who meet every Wednesday for games, a good chat and a catch up with friends.
They recently also raised money during one of their evenings for Hope Against Cancer.
Hope CEO Nigel Rose was proud to talk to the NHS Retirement Fellowship, Leicester Branch at Leicester General Hospital about the work of Hope Against Cancer, thank you so much for the £50 donation.
Thank you to Pyramid International, who are based in Whetstone, for this donation of some beautiful art to help our fundraising efforts!
Mayor of Oadby and Wigston, Clare Kozlowski, chose HOPE as one of the office’s chosen charities for her year in the post.
During that time, Clare and her team hosted a range of events including Curry nights and a Carol service at Leicester Cathedral.
Thank you so much Ashby Spa WI for the wonderful donation of £350.
It is part of the distribution of their yearly fundraising and we are delighted to be one of the chosen charities.
