ICMIF member Royal London, the UK’s largest life, pensions and investment mutual, has announced a new GBP 1.2 million charity partnership with Cancer Research UK tackling cancer inequalities.

The partnership will fund research into hard-to-treat cancers and initiatives to improve the pathway to early diagnosis, as well as support programmes that increase cancer awareness in communities.

Aligned to its purpose, Royal London’s existing social impact and charitable giving strategy is focused on helping people to cope with life shocks and supporting those in financial crisis, primarily through its Changemakers programme and its existing partnership with UK charity, Turn2us. The new initiative with Cancer Research UK broadens its strategy further, aiming to help prevent life shocks happening in the first place.

One in two people in the UK will develop cancer at some point in their lifetime and cancer inequalities, because of socioeconomic status, education, gender, ethnicity, age, and even where someone lives, can impact health and, more specifically, cancer outcomes.

In 2022, 65% of Royal London’s critical illness cover claims related to cancer, demonstrating the link between health and financial resilience. Cancer diagnosis not only creates a life shock in the short-term but also restricts those affected, and loved ones who provide care, from protecting their future standard of living through limiting their ability to build up savings.

Barry O’Dwyer, Group Chief Executive at Royal London, said: “Cancer continues to affect one in two people in the UK so we are proud to be working in partnership with Cancer Research UK to help save lives and improve cancer outcomes for all.

“Aligned with our purpose, our partnership will focus on increasing awareness, funding research into hard-to-treat cancers, and helping to reduce cancer inequalities, which have a significant impact on the outcome for those affected, for this and future generations.”

Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said: “Cancer inequalities are an unacceptable reality. We’re incredibly grateful that with the support of Royal London we can continue our vital research and further our bold ambitions to improve cancer survival for all.

“This new partnership will help fund programmes across early diagnosis and screening to new innovations for hard-to-treat cancers. This is such an important area as ensuring that everyone affected by cancer has access to the care they need and deserve will ultimately save more lives.”

Royal London colleagues and customers will be given the opportunity to support the partnership through fundraising and donating.

You can read more about the partnership on Royal London’s dedicated Cancer Research Partnership webpage.