As a professional fundraising agency, we love nothing more than supporting many amazing charities, so they can carry out essential work helping as many as possible. We were lucky enough to catch up with Suzi and Alice from our charity partner Breast Cancer Now, whilst they came to watch our fundraisers in action at this years Crufts event. We’re delighted to be able to share all the latest direct from Breast Cancer Now, including their many fantastic achievements and inspiring goals. Read on to find out more about BCN plans to change the future of breast cancer and how Charity Link fundraisers are helping them along the way.

Can you tell us a little bit about the history behind Breast Cancer Now?

At Breast Cancer Now, we’re steered by world-class research and powered by life-changing care. We’re here for anyone affected by breast cancer, providing support for today and hope for the future.

In 2019 Breast Cancer Now and Breast Cancer Care united to form the UK’s first comprehensive breast cancer charity. By uniting the two charities, we brought together our heritage, passion, energy, expertise, funds and networks to do even more for people affected by breast cancer – now and in the future. 

This is all driving us towards our shared ambition that, by 2050, everyone who develops breast cancer lives – and is supported to live well.

What would you say the charity culture of Breast Cancer Now is? 

We are committed to creating a close emotional connection with our supporters and stakeholders to inspire them to get involved, stay involved and create the biggest impact possible for everyone affected by breast cancer in the UK.

We’re that trusted friend that anyone can turn to for caring support when they need it most.

We’re the expert authority on breast cancer research, making breakthroughs and driving forward progress.

And we’re a vehicle for change, acting now to make sure anyone affected by breast cancer gets the best possible treatment and care.

We strive to be there for everyone affected by breast cancer in the UK, so they get the best possible support, whenever they need it. And we want to inspire more people to support us financially, so we can keep being there for anyone who needs us in future.

What are Breast Cancer Now’s most immediate goals? 

At Breast Cancer Now we have a bold vision - that by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live, and be supported to live well.

But that won’t happen overnight! We need to work towards that target every minute, every day.

Our Turning the Tide strategy to 2025 is about doing that, every way we can. It’s about accelerating progress towards fewer cases, fewer deaths and a better quality of life for everyone affected by breast cancer.

To do this we’re focusing on these areas:

• To work to improve treatments, care and services for those affected by incurable secondary breast cancer

• To improve support for the physical and mental health of people affected by breast cancer

• To develop kinder, smarter treatments for people with breast cancer and improve access to treatments for those affected

• To improve detection and diagnosis of breast cancer

• To further our understanding of why breast cancer occurs and spreads and use our knowledge to help prevent breast cancer developing

Which achievements are Breast Cancer Now most proud of? 

We want to change the future of breast cancer through our world-class research.

To date, we’ve invested over £255 million in research to drive forward progress. With this investment we have opened the Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, the UK’s first research centre dedicated entirely to breast cancer.

To date, we’ve invested over £255 million in research to drive forward progress

We launched one of the world’s largest studies investigating causes of breast cancer, called our Breast Cancer Now Generations Study. And we established the UK’s first ever national breast cancer tissue bank, so that scientists can study real breast cancer samples.

We also support thousands of people affected by breast cancer every year with our life-changing services.

From our expertly staffed Helpline and trusted health information, to our vital courses and Someone Like Me peer-to-peer support network.

We’re proud to be here for anyone affected by breast cancer – whoever they are, whatever they’re going through, and whenever they need us.

Our campaigning has given access to vital drugs to people who really need them. Perjeta is a life changing drug with extraordinary benefits, giving on average nearly 16 extra months of life to those with incurable breast cancer.

Although Perjeta was already available for routine use in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it had been rejected for use in Scotland three times by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC). Perjeta drug manufacturer Roche had no plans to re-submit an application to the SMC.

Campaigns, like this one, show that we do have the power to make change; in January 2019, the SMC announced its decision to approve Perjeta for routine use in Scotland. This treatment is only available thanks to our supporters.

What are the current challenges Breast Cancer Now is facing?

Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges for us all. As many people look towards a ‘new normal’, COVID-19 is still taking its toll on people affected by breast cancer and the NHS.

Because of disruption caused by COVID-19, the number of women who haven’t had vital NHS breast screening rose by 50% between March 2020 and May 2021 (compared to pre-pandemic levels).

That means that nearly 1.5 million women have missed out on screenings. In January 2022, we estimated that 8,930 people could be living with undiagnosed breast cancer in England. It’s vital that people are seen and diagnosed as soon as possible, to increase the chances of successful treatment.

Moving all our face-to-face support services online for the first time was a challenge, but we were committed to supporting people with the worries, fears and anxieties they had about how the pandemic may have impacted them or a loved one.

We’re now beginning to restart our face-to-face services, but we’re still offering online support for anyone who needs it.

And like many other charities, COVID-19 had a huge impact on our income, and how people could support us.

We had to pause much of our fundraising activity – with many major events being cancelled and postponed, and face-to-face fundraising becoming impossible under social distancing guidelines.

On top of all this, we know that 55,000 women and 370 men are still diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

That’s why it’s still so important to keep driving forward our world-class research and giving life-changing support! And we have to raise the funds we need to keep this work going.

Where does a donor's money go when they support Breast Cancer Now? 

We aim to fund the very best research, provide the very best support and campaign for the change that people affected by breast cancer really need.

But we can’t do it without our donors’ continued support. Whether they donate, fundraise, volunteer, campaign or support us in other ways, we need them now more than ever.

Every pound raised helps us get closer to our goals, by helping to make sure that we can be here for anyone affected by breast cancer, with our world-class research, life-changing support and ground-breaking campaigning.

How is Charity Link making a difference to Breast Cancer Now? 

Many of our new regular givers are recruited by face-to-face fundraisers, including at events and through door-to-door fundraising. Charity Link are a huge asset to us in generating more funding towards breast cancer research and support, by fundraising in these ways.

Is there anything Charity Link could do better to help Breast Cancer Now? 

Breast Cancer Now’s relationship with Charity Link is vital to making sure we can support anyone affected by breast cancer, by raising the funds we need.

Having a secure link between both agency and charity can help ensure our supporters are nurtured from day one of their fundraising journey with us.

What would you say to other charities who might be considering using a professional fundraising company? 

 Professional fundraising companies like Charity Link are an incredibly beneficial way to recruit new donors.

The fundraisers are always so passionate about the cause, connecting and engaging with our new supporters in a way no digital method ever could.

If you feel inspired to take up a career in professional fundraising, we invite you to get in touch! Charity Link are always looking for talented, hardworking and passionate people to develop. For a job that is both challenging, rewarding and that makes a huge difference, reach out now - your next career could be waiting just around the corner!