WEDNESDAY - LONDON - Oncogene Cancer Research is proud to announce a £10,425 donation to The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR), raised through the efforts of three dedicated runners who took part in this year's TCS London Marathon. The funds will directly support the ICR's world-leading research including that conducted by the Paul Huang Lab into oncogene-driven lung cancers.

Dr Paul Huang, whose lab focuses on understanding treatment resistance and identifying new strategies for personalising cancer therapy, plays a pivotal role in advancing the science behind difficult-to-treat forms of lung cancer driven by genetic mutations.

"We are deeply grateful for this generous gift from Oncogene Cancer Research," said Dr Paul Huang, Professor of Translational Research and Group Leader in Molecular and Systems Oncology at the ICR. "Philanthropic support like this enables us to accelerate vital research into why oncogene-driven cancers become resistant to targeted therapies - and how we can overcome that resistance. It brings us closer to delivering more effective, personalised treatment strategies for people affected by these aggressive cancers."

The donation was made possible thanks to three remarkable fundraisers - Christina Roberts, Ruth Price, and Aude-Aline Eugene - who ran the 2025 TCS London Marathon in honour of their close friend, Oncogene Cancer Research co-founder Yvonne Diaz, following her diagnosis with stage 4 lung cancer. Christina, Ruth and Aude's efforts were fuelled by personal losses to cancer in their own families and a shared determination to accelerate research that offers hope to others. We are incredibly grateful for their strength, solidarity and support.

This donation builds on nearly £90,000 raised in previous years to support research infrastructure at the ICR, including funding to help establish a biobank of oncogene-driven lung cancers, such as ALK+ and EGFR. This biobank provides a structured framework to collect and analyse tissue and blood samples from patients, enabling researchers to study how these cancers become resistant to targeted therapies. Resources like this are essential to advancing biomarker discovery, informing new tests, and ultimately improving outcomes for people living with these lung cancers.

Yvonne Diaz and Jan Clark, co-founders of Oncogene Cancer Research, added:

"We're incredibly proud of our London Marathon team and grateful to every supporter who contributed to this milestone. As patients and families ourselves, we know how urgently better research is needed. Supporting the ICR and Dr Huang's team is an investment in hope - not only for today's patients but for those yet to be diagnosed."

The £10,425 donation marks another step forward in the charity's mission to accelerate research, empower patient communities, and close the gap in outcomes for those living with oncogene-driven lung cancers.

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About Oncogene Cancer Research

Oncogene Cancer Research's mission is to extend both the length and quality of life for people living with oncogene-driven lung cancers. We accelerate research by funding promising projects, advocating from trial design through to access, and pushing for more clinical trials to open in the UK. We empower patients and caregivers with knowledge and resources to support informed decision-making. And we champion advocacy to ensure the patient voice is heard at every level of care. Find out more at: www.oncogeneresearch.org.

For any media queries or other requests, please contact us at: admin@oncogeneresearch.org.

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