Brian Yim Lim

The diagnosis nobody wants to hear. The treatment that changes everything. The research that rewrites the odds. Anne, Katisha and Anika share why transforming breast cancer care in East London matters. We’re #HereForIt. Are you? Find out more and donate on bartscharity.org.uk/here-for…

My name's Anika, and last year, whilst eight months pregnant with my second child, I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. In that moment, life as I knew it turned upside down. Within just days, I'd given birth to my son Dara and began a whirlwind of tests and scans to figure out how bad the cancer was. I now had to go through chemotherapy and attend endless appointments whilst caring for my newborn son, and my daughter Mia. It was frightening and overwhelming, but throughout it all, the team at St Bartholomew’s Hospital made me feel safe and cared for. Now I am cancer-free, and I genuinely owe Barts my life. Because of the care I received, my children still have their mum. That’s why I’m so proud to be supporting Barts Charity’s Here for It campaign, helping to bring world-class cancer care to even more women in East London. The new Breast Cancer Centre will bring all elements of care into one place, so patients can feel safe and supported at a time when they need it most. I know first-hand just how much brilliant breast cancer care can mean to a family. I’m Here for It because I want every woman facing breast cancer in East London to have the very best care, support and hope for the future. If you want to read my whole story you can visit bit.ly/4gO46ZT 💜 #HereForIt #BreastCancerCare #StBartholomewsHospital

When Anika was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at eight months pregnant, her world changed overnight. Now cancer-free, she’s supporting our 'Here for It' campaign and sharing why the new Barts Health Breast Cancer Centre will mean so much to patients and families across East London. Watch Anika’s story 💜 Donate today to support breast cancer care bit.ly/3V3U1PR & read Anika's story on bit.ly/4A2plid #Hereforit #breastcancerawareness #womenshealth #breastcancercare

Today, we’re proud to launch our latest Impact Report, sharing what we’ve achieved together with our supporters, partners and colleagues across East London. With the support of our donors, and working alongside @NHSBartsHealth, @QMUL and @CityStGeorges, we’re helping turn innovative ideas into real improvements in health for the people of East London. Over the past year, our funding has helped deliver: 🔬 441 scientific publications sharing new knowledge 🏥 29 pieces of new equipment and technology 💙 27 improved spaces for patients and loved ones 📈 £76.7m in further funding leveraged Behind those numbers are people and ideas making a real difference. From transforming blood transfusion safety across four hospitals, to ensuring HIV breakthroughs reach the communities that need them, and using art therapy to support NHS staff experiencing stress, grief and exhaustion. None of this happens alone. To our supporters, partners, researchers, clinicians and healthcare colleagues: thank you for the part you play in creating healthier East London lives. Discover the people and stories behind this year’s impact 👇 bit.ly/3V7JdjG

Could today’s research transform tomorrow’s care for patients in East London? Meet the seven new Clinical Research Training Fellows behind the research and discover what they hope to achieve.

Applications are now open for the next round of our Advancing Healthcare Large Grants scheme. The scheme offers up to £500,000 of funding, giving NHS staff the opportunity to pilot new ideas, technologies and ways of working within Barts Health NHS Trust that could advance healthcare delivery and improve the health of our local community. The deadline for applications is Thursday 12 Feb 2026. Find out more and apply here: bit.ly/3CuZyWP If you have an idea and want to discuss it before submitting your application, please contact the Funding & Impact team at funding@bartscharity.org.uk.

🚨 We’re hiring! Could you be our Head of Fundraising Operations?🚨 If you're someone who wants to make a real difference in healthcare, apply to join us as our Head of Fundraising Operations. 🏢 Location: Hybrid – minimum two days a week in our London office (EC1A) 💷 Salary: £65,000 to £70,000 📅 Closing date: 9am on Friday 5 December We're looking for an experienced fundraising operations leader who knows how to create the conditions for fundraising and marketing success. You’ll bring experience improving processes, managing complex data, and enabling teams to deliver integrated campaigns. You’ll be comfortable navigating CRM systems (ideally Salesforce), strengthening governance and compliance, and translating insight into practical recommendations. If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you: peridotpartners.co.uk/jobs/h…

We’re excited to welcome and introduce you to our new Director of Fundraising and Communications, Jay Longworth. An accomplished fundraising and communications leader, Jay has experience across higher education, international development and the charitable sector in the UK and internationally. Jay joins Barts Charity from Murray Edwards College at the University of Cambridge, where she led a major transformation of the development and alumnae relations programme. Jay shared: “I’m excited to work with an incredibly talented team and to build on the strong foundations already in place. There’s huge potential to grow awareness of the charity’s work and to connect more people to the difference it makes every day. I’m particularly looking forward to amplifying the stories that show how generosity translates directly into better health outcomes, and to raising more funding to support this vital work.” “The combination of history, ambition and a commitment to reducing health inequalities really inspired me. It’s rare to find an organisation that combines deep roots in its community with such a forward-looking approach to impact. I’m looking forward to working with our partners and supporters to make that impact even greater."

This #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re spotlighting the pioneering research we’re funding that’s helping to build health equity for Black communities in East London. This includes: 🧪 Vital research @QMUL into potential treatments for prostate cancer in black men 👶🏾 Improved jaundice care for babies of all skin tones 🧬 Understanding the biological difference in breast cancer for black women @QMBCI 🌞 Exploring the connection between vitamin D deficiency and diabetes risk in global majority groups @CityUniLondon 💻 blackwomenswellness.com - an online resource dedicated to the health and wellbeing of black women. Find out more on bit.ly/3L1PPLt

This #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth, we’re delighted to announce we're making a landmark investment of £16.6m to transform breast cancer care in East London. 💗 Starting in early 2026, patients in East London will have access to a dedicated Breast Cancer Centre at St Bartholomew’s Hospital. This will completely change local breast cancer care for generations to come. Patients will benefit from: ➡️ Improved access to advanced breast surgery and reconstruction ➡️ Shorter stays in the hospital ➡️ More supportive care, including fertility, recovery and wellbeing services ➡️ More equitable access to the very best care ➡️ Faster diagnoses ➡️ New opportunities to join research and access cutting edge treatments Why is this needed? Breast cancer patients in North East London have the lowest five- and ten-year survival rates in the country, according to @ONS. There’s also a high prevalence of breast cancer in women under 40, and a prevalence of more aggressive types of breast cancer. The development will enable @NHSBartsHealth to bring breast cancer surgery from across its hospitals into one place. It’s expected the centre will handle around 1,800 breast surgeries annually. Find out more on bit.ly/47DC6Do

Summer may be drawing to a close, but we’re heading into a busy season of funding opportunities here at Barts Charity! 🎓 Whether you’re looking to pilot a new healthcare idea, launch a new research project or make small but effective changes within a @NHSBartsHealth hospital, our schemes could help support you make your idea a reality. Upcoming applications deadlines are: 🧪 Advancing Healthcare Small Grants – Thursday 2 October Apply on bit.ly/3RyCHy7 🏥 Research Project Grants – Thursday 9 October Apply on bit.ly/4ddqecr 🌱 Research Seed Grants – Thursday 16 October Apply on bit.ly/3ZcLzNF 💡 Everyday Impact Scheme – Thursday 16 October Apply on bit.ly/3FNEs7a Please note: lead applications for Research Seed and Project grants will need to hold at post at @NHSBartsHealth, the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at @QMUL, or the School of Health & Medical Sciences at @CityStGeorges.