We’ve Done It! Heartburn Cancer UK Wins ‘Small Charity, Big Achiever’ at the Third Sector Awards for our Groundbreaking #DemandingHope Campaign!
The Third Sector Awards celebrate the tireless work of individuals and organisations driving transformative change in the non-profit sector, and we are incredibly proud to have been recognised for our efforts.
Winning the prestigious ‘Small Charity, Big Achiever Award’ is a testament to the power of our mission and the impact of our #DemandingHope campaign, which shines a spotlight on a ‘cancer killer hiding in plain sight’ – Oesophageal cancer.
Oesophageal cancer is the UK’s 14th most common cancer, but alarmingly, it’s the 4th biggest cancer killer among men. Early diagnosis can change that. Persistent heartburn or acid reflux can be the only warning sign, yet it’s often ignored or masked with over-the-counter remedies.
To mark our 20th anniversary, we set our sights high, determined to bring attention to this overlooked killer. The #DemandingHope campaign was our battle cry – demanding faster, bigger, and better action in the name of those who have lost their lives, the survivors fighting the disease, and those who don’t yet realise they’re at risk.
Our campaign’s peak? A nationwide media push titled “Cancer Killer Hiding in Plain Sight”, calling for the widespread use of a simple diagnostic test that could save lives. “We have the test. We know it works. But people are dying while we wait.” We also launched a targeted London initiative offering free tests to hospitality workers and taxi drivers – two groups at high risk due to their work environments and demographics.
The results were staggering. The programme was 250% oversubscribed and detected twice as many pre-cancers as usual, setting the stage for future life-saving efforts.
#DemandingHope reached a massive 4.15 million+ online readers (470 million audience) and sparked conversations about the importance of early diagnosis, making a real impact in the fight against oesophageal cancer.
A massive thank you to our amazing community, partners, and supporters for standing with us. Together, we’re turning hope into action and driving towards a future where heartburn-related cancer is no longer a silent threat.
We couldn’t have done this without The Lanesborough, Cyted Health, Rehan Haidry, and his incredible team, whose support made the capsule sponge testing programme at Hyde Park Corner possible.
Here’s to saving more lives and keeping the hope alive.
