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

Collection Tin Amnesty
17-07-17Our stories • Posted by Lucy Brown
We are recalling all of our collection tins so we can gather the old pound coins from them before they go out of circulation! If you return your collection tin with the old pound coins in it, you can have a brand new empty one from us. This exchange means we can cash in all …
We need your vote
01-06-17Our stories • Posted by Candlelighters Marketing
Leeds shopping centre The Core has shortlisted Candlelighters as one of its final three charities to be nominated as its charity of the year for 2017-2018. You can vote for us on their Facebook page until midnight on Sunday 4th June. Vote here

Your stories

When Josh met Toby
13-07-17Your stories • Posted by Lucy Brown
On the 30th June, local boxer, Josh Warrington came to visit Candlelighters for the afternoon. Josh is the current WBC and has previously held the European, British and Commonwealth and English featherweight titles. The 26-year old was shown round the ward and spent time with children and families, including some patients in isolation. While doing …
The Three Peaks Poem
11-07-17Your stories • Posted by Lucy Brown
On Sunday 2nd July, Allison Brown, Maria Stephenson and Maria’s fiance, Michael Frankland took part in The Three Peaks challenge to raise money for Candlelighters. Whilst resting at the top of the first peak, Whernside, Author Maria, decided to write a poem for her two-year-old niece Hannah (daughter of Allison and Joseph.) Hannah has Acute …
Candlelighters selected as The White Rosettes barbershop singers chosen charity!
05-07-17Your stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
Candlelighters are delighted to have been selected as the chosen charity in 2017 by The White Rosettes in Leeds. They are an award-winning ladies barbershop chorus with over 70 members who meet every Wednesday in Leeds for rehearsals. The group are currently preparing to defend their European championship and to seek their 16th gold medal …
Family thank school after they raise over £5000
03-07-17Your stories • Posted by Lucy Brown
In November 2013, Gabrielle Alderson was diagnosed with an aggressive form of children’s cancer. After the diagnosis, Gaby herself, as well as family, friends and the school she attended, worked tirelessly to raise money to fund new treatments, research and raise awareness of the disease. After battling Neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of children’s cancer, for …
Coast to Coast bike ride in aid of Candlelighters
29-06-17Your stories • Posted by Lucy Brown
Local supporter, Liz Adamson, recently cycled over 100 miles in four days to raise money for children’s cancer. On 9th June one of our local supporters, Liz, cycled from St Bees all the way to Whitby in just four days whilst raising over £200! She said she had always wanted to complete a Coast To Coast …
Chemo-Duck-A-Thon: Supporters to create patients’ toy outfits for an entire day
23-06-17Your stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
Chemo ducks are given to a child diagnosed with cancer being treated at Leeds Children’s Hospital for play therapy and to support and educate children and their families during their diagnosis and treatment for cancer. One of the little extras Candlelighters covers is the cost of new outfits for chemo-ducks; as well as funding play …
Emily writes first book in memory of brother Thomas
05-06-17Your stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
An 11 year old supported by Candlelighters has written her first ever book in memory of her brother Thomas.   After encouragement from a Candlelighters-funded talking therapist, Emily Cammack, from Selby, created ‘Gentleman Sam’, a story about a dog which aims to help readers to identify and cope with feelings of loss. She collaborated with Penny …
York Duo Take On Tri Challenge
02-06-17Your stories • Posted by Elli Pugh
Darren and Shaun, two friends from York, have now embarked on their epic tri challenge which includes kayaking, hiking and cycling, to raise funds for Candlelighters in memory of Nioni Grant. Today (2nd June) is DAY TWO of this massive challenge. Here is an update of how they are getting on… Day One – Involved …