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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.

We identify unmet needs and challenge experts to work with us to address them through research. We use our influence and reputation as passionate advocates to help shape and steer research so that it puts children first - a concept known as Research Advocacy.

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.

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

Nick Bird, Research Director

Nick Bird
Research Trustee

  • 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 

  • 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 

  • 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
Research Engagement & Advocacy Manager

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

Leah Ambler
Research Manager

  • PhD in Cancer Biology
  • St. Baldrick's CARE programme graduate