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Research advocacy

We don’t just initiate and fund research. We are a voice for children and their families and put that right at the heart of our research funding.

Research advocate and SKC UK Chair of Trustees, Nick Bird, presenting at a neuroblastoma conference.

We identify unmet needs and challenge experts to work with us to address them. We use our influence and reputation as passionate advocates to help shape and steer research and policy so that it puts children first.

Learn more about one of the ways we do this here: IMPACCT | Solving Kids’ Cancer UK

Diagram of SKC advocacy process: Build and maintain knowledge, Identify unmet needs, Challenge experts to find solutions, Fund research studies.

Meet our Research Team

Our research team is truly embedded within the scientific community to influence the direction of advances in neuroblastoma. They hold key positions in research consortiums across Europe and North America, ensuring that the needs of children are at the heart of every conversation.

Nick Bird MBE

Chair of Trustees

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"We are uniquely placed to use our influence and reputation alongside our accredited research funding framework to make a difference for children." 

  • Chair, ITCC Advocate Committee 
  • Member, CCI-E Research & Innovation Working Group 
  • Formerly National Cancer Research Institute Children’s Group 
  • National Cancer Research Institute Neuroblastoma Group 
  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Patient Expert for anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody therapy 

Leona Knox

Head of Research 

    Leona Knox, Head of Research at Solving Kids' Cancer UK.
    • Founder, SIOPEN Advocate Committee 
    • ACCELERATE Steering Committee 
    • ACCELERATE International Collaboration Working Group 
    • Member, CCI-E Research & Innovation Working Group 
    • American Associate for Cancer Research (AACR) Affiliate Member and Paediatric Working Group 
    • Kids v Cancer Parent Council 

    Donna Ludwinski

    Research Advisor 

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      • New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT) Advisory Council 
      • Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2) Board 
      • National Cancer Institute Paediatric Central Institutional Review Board 
      • American Associate for Cancer Research (AACR) Affiliate Member and Paediatric Working Group 
      • Paediatric Oncology Subcommittee of the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (PedsODAC) for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 

          Emily Hall 

          Public Affairs & Advocacy Lead 

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            • AMRC Public Affairs Working Group member
            • ALADDIN programme patient representative lead
            • St. Baldrick's CARE programme graduate
            • EUPATI fellow
            • IMPACCT secreteriat