What is ALK+
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a relatively common form of lung cancer. Around 5% of people diagnosed with NSCLC have a rearrangement of the EML4 and ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) genes located in their DNA. The fusion of these two genes creates a mutated oncogene, EML4-ALK (or ALK plus EML4). In normal cells the ALK gene helps to control cell growth, in cancer cells where EML4-ALK mutation is present, the cancer cells can grow more quickly resulting in uncontrolled cell replication cancer.
Founded by Aileen and Philip Murgatroyd, whose daughter Kay was diagnosed with NSCLC in May 2016 when she was aged just 17.
“Lung cancer has a greater mortality rate than breast, prostrate and bowel cancers combined but receives least government funding.”
Research ALKay+ve
Lung cancer is shockingly under funded relative to most other cancers. There is a misconception that lung cancer is caused by smoking, so somehow sufferers deserve it, making it an unpopular cancer to donate to. Let us state right now that NO ONE DESERVES LUNG CANCER even if the wrong choices were made.
Because lung cancer research is so under funded, and ALK only affects 5% of lung cancer cases, research into ALK needs relies heavily on public fundraising if we are to achieve the same groundbreaking advances and success rates as other cancer treatments.
So, at Research ALKay+ve our aim is a simple one – to raise much needed funds which will be used specifically for research into alk positive lung cancer. The distribution of the money raised will be carefully considered by our trustees to ensure that it is targetted at research that is more likely to succeed, or make a greater impact, within a reasonable time frame.
Website: https://www.alkpositiveresearch.co.uk/
Email: research.alkpositive@gmail.com