FAQs

There are many different forms of cancer and there are many different cancer charities with varied concerns, missions and goals. The number of charities devoted to fighting cancer working at both a national and local level clearly reflects the huge public concern about the disease. Breakthrough works hard to foster partnerships between organisations concerned with breast cancer- strongly emphasising collaboration and co-operation.

Breakthrough is a dynamic charity that has established the UK's first dedicated breast cancer research centre, in partnership with the Institute of Cancer Research. At the Centre, world-class scientists carry out pioneering research into breast cancer, bringing together different research specialisms under one roof. This innovative, focused approach should result in scientific discoveries being translated as rapidly as possible into practical help for patients.

In many ways we do! For example, the Breast Cancer Forum has representatives from the main cancer charities, which meet regularly to discuss areas of common ground and consistent messages, particularly for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In this way we co-ordinate our work and ensure that we do not duplicate effort.

There are good reasons for keeping separate, especially when we carry out such different functions e.g. comparing Breakthrough with Breast Cancer Care – they are a care and support organisation, running a telephone helpline and offering a range of information and support services, whereas we focus on research and education. In terms of funding, especially from the corporate sector, maintaining our individuality means more sponsorship. For example, Breakthrough has corporate sponsorship from Avon Cosmetics and Breast Cancer Care has a link up with Boots. If we were to become one organisation, two competing commercial companies might not sponsor us.

Breakthrough depends on its supporters to enable it to fund its research and awareness work. We are fortunate to receive support from a wide range of sources, ranging from individual donors and supporters across the UK, to major corporations such as Avon Cosmetics, The Bingo Association, and Marks & Spencer.

In Breakthrough’s last financial year our total income was over £15 million. The main contributors to this were Breakthrough’s events and campaigns, such as Fashion Targets Breast Cancer; fundraisers across the UK including our £1,000 Challengers and regional groups; companies; and individuals making donations. Breakthrough also receives support from charitable trusts, through legacies, trading activities and investment income.

The majority of our income is now spent on the pioneering research being undertaken at the Breakthrough Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre. Breakthrough is committed to funding breast cancer research of the highest quality and to long-term investment in such research. Our scientists are leaders in their field and we supply state-of-the-art equipment to ensure they can work as effectively as possible. Breakthrough also invests in some research outside the Centre and on our vital work campaigning for better breast cancer services and on raising awareness of breast cancer issues. In the last financial year, 2.2% of Breakthrough’s expenditure was spent on the necessary administration costs of running a charity.<--!>

Breakthrough’s research uses tissues and cells grown in the laboratory for its investigations as far as possible; if an alternative is available it is always chosen over animals. We are members of the Association of Medical Research Charities, which is committed to the 3 Rs - Refinement, Reduction and Replacement - as the basis for the use of animals in research. However, the gap between basic research and how a whole body works and responds to different therapies must always be bridged. At present it is often the case that only by using animal models in research can we bridge this gap in order to allow new treatments to be made safely available to people. Each new research project involving the use of animals must successfully apply for a licence from the Home Office; and the licence application must show that alternatives to animals have been considered, and detailed evidence of the potential benefits of the research must be given.

One of the simplest ways is to make a donation by clicking on the icon that appears on each page You may want to take part in one of the many regional and national events taking place or want to become one of our £1,000 Challengers. Alternatively your company can help to support Breakthrough by means such as payroll giving. Further details of all the methods to raise money for Breakthrough can be found in the Ways to give and Get involved sections.

           

Legal notices | Site map | Contact us | Jobs