Patient stories

Find out about the impact our work has on patients.

Glenys and her husband David smile for a selfie
“Immunotherapy is a game-changer” – Glenys’ story

04/09/23 - Glenys Gregory

Glenys Gregory recently became a grandmother, but at one point, she’d wondered if she would live to see him born. In January 2020, Glenys was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer after nursing her mother through the same disease. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, she went straight onto immunotherapy and a scan in summer 2023 revealed that she had no evidence of disease. Here she tells her story.
Camilla Keeling and her husband David sitting on a bench outdoors with their dog
“Immunotherapy is the way forward” - Camilla’s story

11/07/23 - Camilla Keeling

Camilla Keeling was a month away from celebrating her 61st birthday when she was diagnosed with skin cancer. After having it removed, she thought she was in the clear but not long after, she found out it had spread to her lungs, and later, her brain and bowel. She is now receiving immunotherapy which has seen her tumours shrink and given her renewed hope. Here is her story.
John Dabell with his dog outside in the sunshine
“Immunotherapy is keeping me alive” - John’s story

13/06/23 - John Dabell

On his daughter’s second birthday in 2009, John Dabell was diagnosed with advanced head and neck cancer. He went through extensive surgery and treatment and was on the road to recovery when he was diagnosed with cancer again – this time, a tumour in his throat. John was told he didn’t have long to live. But then he started immunotherapy. Here, he talks about its incredible impact and the opportunity it’s given him to spend more time with his wife and daughter.
daniel davidson with dog 547x410
Running the Marathon in memory of Mum – Daniel’s story

20/04/23 - Daniel Davidson

Daniel Davidson’s mum, Amanda Hood, died of cancer during the pandemic, just months after her diagnosis. Now to celebrate her life, he is running the 2023 London Marathon as part of #teamICR. Here Daniel explains why, despite the challenges of working on an oil rig in the North Sea and not being a keen runner, he is determined to take on this gruelling race to raise vital funds for our research.
susanna-with-husband-neil-and-their-children-yasmin-and-ethan 547x400
From cancer patient to marathon runner - Susanna’s story

20/04/23 - Elspeth Massey

Susanna Stephenson was diagnosed with breast cancer just three days before her 42nd birthday in 2014. Following treatment, the mum of two has now recovered and is part of our amazing #teamICR runners taking on the 2023 London Marathon.
Alfred Samuels leaning against a fence
“It’s not just about surviving, it’s about so much more” - Alfred’s story

11/01/23 - Alfred Samuels

When Alfred Samuels was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2012, it felt as if his world had fallen apart overnight. Doctors said surgery wasn’t an option for him because the cancer had spread beyond his prostate, and he started to lose hope. But then he joined a clinical trial and began treatment with abiraterone, a drug discovered and developed by our scientists, which is now extending the lives of thousands of men worldwide. Eleven years later, Alfred explains how he wouldn’t be here today without our research.
enhanced-boat-image 547 x 395
“I still have a lot of living left to do” - Sue’s story

21/11/22 - Sue Vincent

When Sue Vincent learned in 2010 that her ovarian cancer had spread to three different parts of her body and was inoperable, she resigned herself to having only months to live. But then she was offered a place on a clinical trial for a pioneering drug called olaparib, the discovery and development of which was underpinned by our research. 12 years on, Sue is still taking olaparib, and explains how the work of our scientists has given her a quality of life she could only have dreamed about.
The Ollie Young Foundation visit ICR labs
“Knowing we helped – that will be Ollie’s legacy” – Sarah’s story of childhood cancer

15/09/22 - Sarah Simpson

The Ollie Young Foundation, which supports our world-leading research into childhood brain tumours, was set up in memory of Ollie, who died one day before his sixth birthday. Ollie’s mum, Sarah, tells us their story.


Make a donation today

A monthly gift can help support our research over several years, so it has the maximum possible benefit for people with cancer.
With GiftAid you'll also be able to add 25% at no extra cost to you

Please choose a donation amount.

With your generous support, we can continue making more discoveries, finding more cures, and saving more lives.
With GiftAid you'll also be able to add 25% at no extra cost to you

Please choose a donation amount.

Join us to make new discoveries

As a world-leading cancer research organisation, we are a dynamic and exciting place to work - with excellent facilities and recreational working benefits