At Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, lung cancer is at the heart of everything we do. It is the focus of every research project we fund, every person we support, every life we save. It is our one and only priority.
And, to this day, we remain the only UK charity solely dedicated to supporting everyone affected by lung cancer.
We devote every day to improving the lives of people living with lung cancer. We put everything into discovering new ways to diagnose and treat lung cancer. We spend every minute fighting this disease so, one day, we will live in a world where no one dies of lung cancer.
Our mission
Since Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation was founded, our mission was clear – to improve the lives of people with lung cancer – and lung cancer alone.
Because people affected by lung cancer deserve better.
They deserve access to the best diagnostics, treatment and care. They deserve support without judgement. They deserve the chance to live through lung cancer rather than die from it.
We are committed to:
Improving early detection beyond screening so everyone has the chance to be diagnosed as quickly as possible.
Providing support for everyone affected by lung cancer in the way that’s right for them.
Ensuring access to lifesaving and life-lengthening treatments so everyone can live well for longer with all stages of lung cancer.
Campaigning for timely access to genomic testing to make sure everyone is on the best treatment for their lung cancer.
Developing the next generation of lung cancer researchers to unlock the key to long term survival.
Improving understanding and awareness of lung cancer – because knowledge is power and will save lives.
Challenging disease misconceptions and stigma to eradicate obstacles to earlier diagnosis and improve attitudes.
Screen more people and save more lives because when lung cancer is caught early, it can be cured.
We want people with lung cancer to thrive, not just survive – and just like Roy himself, our dedication to make this happen knows no bounds.
Our history
We’ve been fighting for people with lung cancer since 1990. This is how it all started…
Professor Donnelly was working in Liverpool as a thoracic surgeon. He was becoming increasingly frustrated at being unable to help people diagnosed with lung cancer. By the time he saw patients, their lung cancer was too advanced for surgery.
Knowing the key was early detection, Professor Donnelly approached existing institutes and charities with a proposal to fund research. However, no one would fund it and so he decided to do it himself.
He set up the Lung Cancer Fund Wednesday 18th April 1990, with the mission to understand of the development of the disease, its prevention and eventual elimination by funding research, providing patient support and smoking prevention.
The charity soon raised enough money to begin funding research into early detection at the University of Liverpool. It also appointed a Schools Liaison Officer to educate children about the dangers of smoking and employed the first ever lung cancer support nurse.
Enter Roy Castle
Following Roy Castle’s shock lung cancer diagnosis, the beloved entertainer agreed to support our ambition to build the first international lung cancer research centre.
Our achievements
From pioneering surgery to the implementation of lung cancer screening, we continue to improve outcomes for people with lung cancer.