Medical Research Charities

It is likely that at some point in our lives we will receive medical treatment that has been made possible  as a result of research carried out by medical charities.

For example, Cancer Research UK’s groundbreaking work has resulted in the overall cancer survival rate doubling since the 1970s, which means 50% of people will now survive cancer.

The British Heart Foundation have also made dramatic progress with research into heart attacks. Before the 1960s, 7 in every 10 people would die as a result of a heart attack but today, 7 out of 10 people survive.

Medical charities rely on public funding to continue their research, as well as practical support from volunteers. It cannot be stressed how important your contribution to a medical charity will be – your role, whether big or small, will be contributing towards saving and improving people’s lives and keeping families together. Most of the voluntary roles within medical charities are geared towards raising money as this is the single most helpful thing you can do. There are multiple ways to get involved from charity shop work to volunteering at an event fundraiser.

Some people choose to support a medical charity as a direct result of personal experience for example where they, or a friend or family member has suffered from a particular illness or disability. Others volunteer simply because they want to give back to the community, you can browse our list of medical charities below to find one that captures your interest.

What sort of roles are available?

Speaker

Aside from research, medical charities campaign and spread awareness of their cause within communities e.g. councils, schools, universities and local community groups. A volunteer speaker will educate people on a particular illness with the aim of making sure people are able to identify it, so it can be treated as soon as possible. People who are educated about a particular disease are also more likely to donate to its cause.

Charities such as Diabetes UK offer roles like this to confident public speakers who are passionate about their cause.

Additional roles supporting medical charities

For more information on supporting medical charities in ‘behind the scenes’ roles, please click through to our Office & Admin page.

Which charities can I support?

British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Diabetes UK, Stroke Association, MS Society, Anthony Nolan, AT Society, Epilepsy Action, Lupus UK, British Lung Foundation, Brain Research UK, British Society for Immunology, Macular Society, Meningitis Now