Hear from the new ECMC network funder, the Little Princess Trust

We sat down with Phil Brace, Chief Executive of the Little Princess Trust (LPT), to find out more about why he wanted to get involved in the experimental cancer medicine centres (ECMC) network and his hopes for the future.

Our vision is to give Hair and Hope to every child and young person with cancer until there is no longer a need for what we do. This ‘Hope’ comes through the vital research that we fund, with the aims of improving survival through kinder and less toxic treatments. Our focus is purely on improving outcomes for children and young people with cancer.

Joining the existing funding partnership of the ECMC network was the most logical and cost-effective way to achieve the greatest impact. Through our journey of research funding since 2016 and talking to the paediatric research community, it was clear that it was in everyone’s interest to improve the existing network and that a significant uplift in funding was desperately needed.

The excitement is what will be achieved over the next five years, now that every one of the centres has gained the funding that they requested, which should afford them the opportunity to open more innovative trials and maximise the benefit for children and young people with cancer.

For me personally, I believe that the most effective way to improve outcomes for the children we serve will come through a collaborative approach. The ECMC network epitomises what can be achieved by researchers, clinicians and scientists working together, along with the funders working together, as has now happened with The Little Princess Trust, Cancer Research UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the other devolved governments all involved.

I think the biggest challenge and the biggest opportunity are very much linked. If different organisations can work together to share their skills and increase funding, then this will create marvellous opportunities. However, the failure of those involved in childhood cancer research to collaborate more closely represents a major challenge.

Recognising that there is a need for trials specifically focused on this underrepresented group is a huge step forward, and, through the newly improved ECMC network, we believe The Little Princess Trust will play its own important part in making more trials happen.