London, UK – Oncogene Cancer Research, a non-profit organization, announced today that they have successfully raised £10,425 for The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR) through the efforts of three dedicated runners who participated in the 2025 TCS London Marathon. The funds will go towards supporting the ICR’s world-leading research, including the work conducted by the Paul Huang Lab on oncogene-driven lung cancers.
The Paul Huang Lab, headed by Dr Paul Huang, focuses on understanding treatment resistance and identifying new strategies for personalizing cancer therapy. Their work is crucial in advancing the science behind difficult-to-treat forms of lung cancer driven by genetic mutations.
“We are deeply grateful for this generous donation 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, personalized treatment strategies for people affected by these aggressive cancers.”
The donation was made possible by the efforts of three remarkable fundraisers – Christina Roberts, Ruth Price, and Aude-Aline Eugene – who ran the marathon in honor of their close friend and Oncogene Cancer Research co-founder, Yvonne Diaz, who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Christina, Ruth, and Aude were motivated by personal losses to cancer in their own families and a shared determination to accelerate research that offers hope to others.
This donation adds to the nearly £90,000 that Oncogene Cancer Research has raised in previous years to support research infrastructure at the ICR, including funding for a biobank of oncogene-driven lung cancers, such as ALK+ and EGFR. This biobank provides a structured framework for collecting and analyzing tissue and blood samples from patients, enabling researchers to study how these cancers become resistant to targeted therapies. This resource is crucial in advancing biomarker discovery, informing new tests, and ultimately improving outcomes for people living with these lung cancers.
Co-founders of Oncogene Cancer Research, Yvonne Diaz and Jan Clark, shared their thoughts on the donation, stating, “We are 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.”
This donation is another step forward in Oncogene Cancer Research’s mission to accelerate research, empower patient communities, and close the gap in outcomes for those living with oncogene-driven lung cancers. To learn more about their work, visit www.oncogeneresearch.org.
For media inquiries and other requests, please contact admin@oncogeneresearch.org.
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