-
PO Box 1363
LIGHTWATER
GU18 5ZS
Christopher's Smile
Charitable Organisation
In Camberley
"Our vision is for every child diagnosed with childhood cancer to not
only survive, but to reach adulthood enjoying a good quality of life."
My husband and I set up Christopher's Smile in October 2008 having lost our son in June 2008 to an aggressive brain tumour following 21 months of battle with the disease. He was 9 days away from his 6th birthday.
We wanted to find something positive in our tragedy as well as keeping Christopher's name alive and remembering his wonderful smiling face. We thought long and hard about the direction we should take and feel strongly that the current cycle needs to be broken: no more horrendous treatments with devastating side effects or ongoing fear and uncertainty regarding possible outcome.
The survival rates for many childhood cancers has not improved in decades and often children who survive their disease are left with a legacy of side effects from the treatments with which they have to live and deal with for the rest of their lives. To date there are no specific treatments for children (chemotherapy was developed for adults and these cancers are different to childhood cancers) and for these reasons we are currently raising funds to support the paediatric drug development team at The Institute of Cancer Research along with other leading UK Academic Research Centres.
The team at The ICR is developing targeted biological drugs to provide an effective cure for children who still do not survive their disease. We feel that if through our efforts families do not have to endure the tortures we have suffered, our efforts will be worthwhile.
Progress to Date
In just over five years we have funded key laboratory equipment for the paediatric drug development team at The Institute of Cancer Research in Sutton.
We have also fully funded four research positions – one for two years (now complete), a second for three years, a third post which began in January 2013 and a new position due to begin in the spring 2014.
The first position focussed on pre-clinical testing of single novel agents. An End of Grant Report announced that a number of new drugs for which Christopher’s Smile funded the testing were in line to enter clinical trials. Reaching our second target of £200,000 meant we could fully fund a three year post doctorate fellow.
The post was taken up in May 2011 by Dr Evon Poon whose focus is the testing of combination treatments. Results from a pre-clinical study funded by Christopher’s Smile and carried out by Evon were published in the prestigious journal Cancer Cell in June 2013. The researchers successfully used two potential drugs to target cancerous neuroblastoma cells with an overactive gene called MYCN. This gene plays a major role in most cases of aggressive and treatment-resistant neuroblastoma in children.
Our most recent position is that of a paediatric molecular pathologist and this work, the first of its kind for children in Europe, began in January 2013. This role ensures the most suitable children are put forward for trials with the most appropriate treatments.
Since setting up the charity in October 2008 we have raised almost £700,000.
How You Can Help
In order to exploit and keep pace with the scientific discoveries and new understanding of cancer and to maximise the scientific opportunities presenting themselves, funding is urgently required.
Times are tough but cancer doesn't respect economic cycles and we are determined to do our best to help to make a difference in what is an extremely under funded area of cancer.
If you feel you would like to help us is in some way, we would love to hear from you.
Please email us at info@christopherssmile.org.uk or visit our website:
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Karen & Kevin Capel
Please mention The Best of Camberley when you contact Christopher's Smile Charitable Organisation.
