LONDON – Oncogene Cancer Research, a non-profit organization, proudly announced a donation of £10,425 to The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR) on Wednesday, 9 July 2025. The funds were raised through the efforts of three dedicated runners who participated in this year’s TCS London Marathon. The donation will directly support the ICR’s world-leading research, including the work of the Paul Huang Lab in oncogene-driven lung cancers.
Dr. Paul Huang, Professor of Translational Research and Group Leader in Molecular and Systems Oncology at the ICR, expressed his gratitude for the generous donation, stating, “We are deeply grateful for this donation from Oncogene Cancer Research. Philanthropic support like this allows us to accelerate vital research into why oncogene-driven cancers become resistant to targeted therapies and how we can overcome that resistance. It brings us closer to delivering more effective, personalized treatment strategies for people affected by these aggressive cancers.”
The donation was made possible thanks to the efforts of three remarkable fundraisers – Christina Roberts, Ruth Price, and Aude-Aline Eugene. They ran the 2025 TCS London Marathon in honor of their close friend and Oncogene Cancer Research co-founder, Yvonne Diaz, who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. The runners were motivated by personal losses to cancer in their own families and a shared determination to advance research that offers hope to others.
This donation builds on the nearly £90,000 raised in previous years to support research infrastructure at the ICR. This includes funding for the establishment of a biobank of oncogene-driven lung cancers, such as ALK+ and EGFR. The biobank provides a framework for collecting and analyzing tissue and blood samples from patients, enabling researchers to study how these cancers become resistant to targeted therapies. These resources are crucial in advancing biomarker discovery, informing new tests, and ultimately improving outcomes for people living with these lung cancers.
Yvonne Diaz and Jan Clark, co-founders of Oncogene Cancer Research, stated, “We are incredibly proud of our London Marathon team and grateful to every supporter who contributed to this milestone. As patients and families ourselves, we know how urgently better research is needed. Supporting the ICR and Dr. Huang’s team is an investment in hope – not only for today’s patients but for those yet to be diagnosed.”
The donation of £10,425 marks another step forward in the charity’s mission to accelerate research, empower patient communities, and close the gap in outcomes for those living with oncogene-driven lung cancers.
About Oncogene Cancer Research
Oncogene Cancer Research’s mission is to extend both the length and quality of life for people living with oncogene-driven lung cancers. The organization accelerates research by funding promising projects, advocating from trial design through to access, and pushing for more clinical trials to open in the UK. They also empower patients and caregivers with knowledge and resources to support informed decision-making. Additionally, they champion advocacy to ensure the patient voice is heard at every level of care. For more information, please visit their website at www.oncogeneresearch.org.
For media inquiries or other requests, please contact Oncogene Cancer Research at admin@oncogeneresearch.org.
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