Childhood Eye Cancer Trust

The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) is the only UK charity dedicated to working with and on behalf of the babies, children and families affected by retinoblastoma (Rb), a rare form of eye cancer that typically affects children and babies under the age of six. Every week approximately one child in the UK is diagnosed and around 200 children at any one time are receiving treatment or aftercare. Although 98% survive, over half of all children diagnosed will lose an eye and some will lose their sight. CHECT’s mission is to prevent sight loss and death as a result of having retinoblastoma and to support those who are affected by it. We do this in three main ways: supporting children and their families diagnosed with Rb, for as long as they need our help; driving earlier diagnosis through raising awareness of the disease; and helping to fund research into the treatments and care of those affected. 82p out of every £ donated is spent on delivering support, funding research and raising awareness. We want to increase our reach and depth of our work in our local communities. To do this, we aim to plan and execute long-term projects such as increased support service provision and the commissioning of psychosocial research. Over the next three years, we want to ensure our efforts are not just reactive, but part of a larger, forward-thinking strategy that allows CHECT to deliver activities that reduce the impacts of having a diagnosis of Rb whatever the life stage. The potential for further innovation is huge. Its impact on the lives of those affected is almost immeasurable, from the potential to save more children’s eyes and more children’s sight, to the opportunity for personalised medicines and even the prevention of tumour development. Our ambition is to: - Widen our impact by delivering incremental improvements in the delivery of our Support, Research, and Awareness activity. - Increase the levels of funds raised in an ethical and sustainable manner. - Live within our means by being mindful of expenditure and increasing the pennies on the pound spent on charitable activity. - Be digitally enabled, focussed and savvy. - Proactively seek alliances and partnerships to widen our reach, outputs and impact. - Be a caring and inclusive employer with a happy and focussed team.