Law Beats Cancer, a first of its kind initiative between the legal community and Cancer Research UK, has launched today. It aims to unite the legal profession to help fund vital cancer research, that will drive progress to save and improve more lives.
Over the past 50 years, Cancer Research UK’s work has helped double cancer survival in the UK. But with nearly one in two people in the UK set to be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime*, the urgency for continued investment in research has never been greater. Cancer Research UK is committed to funding as much world-class research as possible but relies on the generosity of its supporters and partners to continue its pioneering work.
Law Beats Cancer has been established to mobilise the whole profession – solicitors, barristers, in-house teams and suppliers to the legal sector – around a shared cause, to accelerate life-saving cancer research. Unlike traditional charity campaigns, the initiative focuses on thought leadership, networking, events, challenges and other activities that will create momentum and a sense of community and purpose across the sector.
The initiative has launched with strong backing from across the legal sector.
The founding Board is made up of Duncan Batchelor, Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, Jenny Leahy, Partner at Freshfields, Andrew Richards, Chief Finance Officer at CMS, Paul Baker, Partner at Quinn Emanuel, Charlotte Eberlein, Head of Marketing & BD at Thomson Snell & Passmore, Akhil Shah KC, Sarah Clements, Group General Counsel, at International Airline Group and Mary Mullally, Director at Executive Peer Networks.
Initial supporter firms include BCLP, Cleary Gottlieb, CMS, Dentons, Freshfields, Geldards, Higgs LLP, Lewis Silkin, Linklaters, Norton Rose Fulbright, RPC, Quinn Emanuel, Simmons & Simmons, Taylor Emmet and Thomson Snell & Passmore, as well as Harvey AI. Others are in the process of joining.
Duncan Batchelor, Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright and Chair of the Law Beats Cancer Board comments: “Cancer Research UK’s progress against cancer depends on sustained investment in research, made possible by its supporters. The legal profession, meanwhile, has extraordinary networks and influence. Law Beats Cancer was created to bring those two forces together.
“Nothing like this has been done before, linking solicitors, barristers and in-house teams. We aim to extend it to law students and others too, making the most of the power of our networks. It is more than a campaign, it is a movement and the potential is huge.
“Law Beats Cancer does not belong to any one firm; it belongs to the entire profession, giving us an opportunity to come together as a community and do something special, as a force for good. We are delighted with the support and enthusiasm from everyone so far. We already have so many firms and institutions who have signed up as supporters and we’d love more. This is just the beginning.”
Claudia Nicholls, Cancer Research UK’s Executive Director of Marketing, Fundraising and Engagement said: “Law Beats Cancer is a brilliant example of what happens when a profession decides to put its collective weight behind something that matters. The legal community has real power to make a difference, and seeing that power directed towards life-saving cancer research is genuinely exciting. Every pound raised makes a difference for people affected by cancer and their loved ones.”
* cruk.org/lifetimerisk