The Candlelighters Supportive Care Research Centre

Did you know that of all children who die with cancer, 1 in 3 will die not because of the cancer, but because of the side effects of treatment? Worse still, research into reducing these side effects for children is under-resourced, sparse, and inadequate.

Amazing progress has been made in understanding and treating childhood cancers. Today, around 80% of children or young people diagnosed with cancer survive.

But despite advances in curative medicine, little has been done to improve the experience of living through and beyond cancer. Children often receive cancer treatments designed for adults and the impact on their smaller bodies can be severe. They suffer horrible side effects which can be traumatic, permanent, and even deadly.

Meet Ralph

Six-year-old Ralph has T-cell lymphoma.

The treatment he’s receiving is incredibly effective; it began immediately and he is responding well to it. But it’s shocking to see what the side effects are doing to his little body...

The chemotherapy is aggressive and makes him sick. It decays his teeth and five have to be removed. His skin is sore and painful to touch. His immune system is severely suppressed, and he develops sepsis. Ralph’s mum, Cleo says, “No one can prepare you for the side effects. He couldn’t walk, he swelled up from steroids, he would scream in agony.

If the side effects of Ralph’s treatment aren’t controlled properly, there’s even a risk he could die. We urgently need better ways to care for Ralph that will limit his side effects, reduce his suffering, and improve his quality of life and chance of survival.

The care Ralph needs doesn’t exist yet – but it will.

Introducing the Candlelighters Supportive Care Research Centre

Developing effective, kinder care is the best and fastest way to improve the lives of children with cancer and increase their chances of survival. The research that will help us do this is called supportive care.


What is Supportive Care?

Supportive care refers to everything except the treatment of the cancer itself. Supportive care includes preventing side effects of treatment, managing pain and reducing infection. It’s the care that gives children as full a life as possible.


We know research makes a difference. After all, because of research, the five-year survival rate for children’s cancers increased from 73% to 86% between 1997 and 2016. Now, we’re establishing the first Candlelighters Supportive Care Research Centre (CSCRC) at the University of York to develop effective, kinder care for young people with cancer, which will save lives, reduce suffering, and bring hope.

The CSCRC will enable the world’s leading supportive care experts to carry out high-quality research. It will invest in future supportive care specialists. And it will save lives, reduce suffering and bring hope to young people with cancer – not just in Yorkshire, but around the world.

As part of our commitment to childhood cancer research, we’ve worked closely with experts to identify the huge impact that can be made through improved supportive care. We believe our Research Centre can change the landscape of cancer care and transform what it means to undergo cancer treatment as a child.

Here, a team of experts will conduct high-value research which will rapidly advance the care of children and young people with cancer. Creating the Candlelighters Supportive Care Research Centre is a five-year project which will cost just under £1m. Together, we can make it a reality.

In the last 25 years alone we have invested over £11m into childhood cancer research, to improve early diagnosis, survival rates, treatments and quality of life, and develop experts for the future. Now, we want to take our commitment to the next level,

What impact will the Candlelighters Supportive Care Research Centre have?

In the short term, we will look at how to minimise hospital stays, prevent severe mucositis (mouth ulcers) and prevent nausea and vomiting. In the long-term (5-15 years), we aim to see:

  • A team of new, capable researchers who will take studies to the next level.
  • Fewer children and young people dying from side effects caused by cancer treatment.
  • Better nutritional interventions and improved psychological and social support.
  • Sustainable generation of grant income to continue to produce high-quality research.
  • A Yorkshire-based, world-class centre of excellence in research, impacting global care.

We're currently looking for people, businesses or foundations who may be able to help with funding support for this ground-breaking research. If you would like to be involved or would like to find out more, email [email protected].

Our stories

23-07-19Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
To our families and supporters. Please read below… and take time to fill in the online consultation survey. NHS England has launched a 60-day consultation to seek views on proposed changes to children’s cancer services. The aim of the service specifications is to improve the outcomes and experience of children and young people with cancer. …
Invictus Active launch charity donation initiative!
11-07-19Our stories • Posted by Candlelighters Marketing
Select us to receive a donation from Invictus Active! Invictus Active, one of the leading mobility equipment retailers in the UK, have recently launched a charity donation initiative where similar to the Amazon Smile scheme charities receive donations each time a customer places an order. It is a simple process where any customer after purchasing …
Deadline looms for 2019 Great North Run entries!
27-06-19Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
  Childhood cancer charity, Candlelighters, are calling on the generous people of Yorkshire to register to run this year’s Great North Run before the registration deadline of 28 June. In 2018, 54 people took part in what is the world’s largest half marathon in support of Candlelighters, including Chloe Cross of Sky Betting & Gaming. …
Candlelighters aim to turn Yorkshire PINK with their new #PINKITUP campaign for 2019!
16-05-19Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
Candlelighters aim to turn Yorkshire PINK with their new #PINKITUP campaign for 2019! Can you help us #PINKITUP to raise funds and awareness for Candlelighters? Will you, #BEPINK, #EATPINK, #DRINKPINK to raise vital funds for Yorkshire charity Candlelighters? This June, Yorkshire based children’s cancer charity Candlelighters aim to turn Yorkshire pink! Whether that’s wearing pink, …
Team Bramhope celebrate 10 years supporting Candlelighters!
15-04-19Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
Team Bramhope celebrate 10 years supporting Candlelighters! Team Bramhope was formed by Tariq Qadeer, the owner of the Village Newsagents in Bramhope, by encouraging his customers and friends in the village to come together for charity. As their enthusiasm and passion grew, the word spread and so did the team. In 2018 one of their …
We are launching our first ever Recruitment Open Day at Candlelighters!
14-03-19Our stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
We are launching our first ever Recruitment Open Day at Candlelighters! Ever wondered what it’s like to work in Fundraising or Family Support?   Just starting your career, or fancy a change? We’ve got a variety of paid roles, ranging from £16,000 – £24,000 (depending on experience)   Come along to our open days to find out! Wednesday …

Your stories

Just when we thought the challenges were hard enough, Team George continue to ramp it up!!
15-07-19Your stories • Posted by Candlelighters Marketing
Team George was founded by Mark and Helen after their son George was diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2013. From diagnosis and throughout his illness, George and his family were supported by Candlelighters. “Without Candlelighters life would have been impossible” Mark Gallimore said. Team George is made up of an amazing group of friends who spend …
A woofly success for furry friends and human ones too in aid of Candlelighters!
11-07-19Your stories • Posted by Candlelighters Marketing
On Sunday 23rd June, Yorkshire based children’s cancer charity Candlelighters took over the Riverside Gardens in Ilkley for a day of fun including a 2.5km sponsored dog walk around the beautiful sights of the River Wharfe! It was a barking success, with over 30 dogs signing up ahead of the day and 20 more coming …
Team Bramhope celebrate 10 years supporting Candlelighters 
25-03-19Your stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
Team Bramhope was formed by Tariq Qadeer, the owner of the Village Newsagents in Bramhope, by encouraging his customers and friends in the village to come together for charity. As their enthusiasm and passion grew, the word spread and so did the team. In 2018 one of their members Andy Taylor decided to add a …
Hull Collegiate School’s Carrie and her team of staff and pupils are taking on the Hull 10k!
22-03-19Your stories • Posted by Sean Donnelly
Meet Carrie, who’s taking on the Hull 10k this year with her puplis and staff from Hull Collegiate School! Why are you running for Candlelighters? I’m running with a team of staff and pupils in memory of Hope Rooms who was a pupil at Hull Collegiate School. Hope sadly lost her battle with cancer in 2016. …