In January 2010 our first funded researcher started work at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in Sutton.

Christopher’s Smile has provided the ICR with funding to employ a Scientific Officer specifically to help develop pre-clinical therapeutics for paediatric cancers - primarily solid tumours such as medulloblastoma (brain tumour), neuroblastoma (cancer of the developing nervous system), and rhabdomyosarcoma (muscle tumour). The charity has pledged to fund this position for 2 years. Positive steps have been made and a number of these targeted drugs will be entering into clinical trials. 

In May 2011 we are delighted to announce that our second funded post was taken up. This is a three year post doctorate position which will focus on testing combinations of targeted treatments. 

It is very important to us that everyone who has made a contribution knows where their money has gone. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has helped us and continues to help along the way. Without your help we are unable to make the critical difference which is so badly needed in making a difference to children with cancer.

These are is the first steps in a very long journey. As we have stated elsewhere, Childhood Cancer Research receives very little funding and the only way for new drug targets to be identified and drugs developed to effectively treat these targets is for more research. Research needs funding and while some of the largest fundraising vehicles for children's and young people's causes collect millions of pounds, not a penny of it is spent on childhood cancer research projects. That is why we need your donations.