Macmillan Cancer Support is made up of a network of millions of professionals, volunteers, campaigners and people affected by cancer and is one of the UK’s largest charities.

In November 2013, the UoL signed a formal partnership agreement with Macmillan. From the outset Dr Ros Kane was a member of the steering group charged with directing and co-ordinating activities across three key areas: volunteering, student experience, and research.

The presentation will provide an overview of the on-going collaboration between UoL and Macmillan Cancer Support from the perspective of both organisations. It will outline the benefits of the partnership and some of the research that has taken place.

To date, we have collaborated on six funded studies with Macmillan, all focused on examining ways to help improve the lives of people affected by cancer. This has included funding (matched by the School of Health and Social Care) to support the employment of a full-time Macmillan Research Fellow. His PhD topic ‘Differences between urban and rural self-management’ being an agreed priority research area for Macmillan. The partnership with Macmillan has led to widespread regional, national and international collaborations and research activity, and continues to have the potential for broad impact.