​Merger will create a new charity aiming to beat breast cancer by 2050

Two leading charities will merge – in order to better fight a deadly disease.

Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now will join together in spring 2019, to create an organisation for everyone affected by breast cancer.

The merger will create a new charity, united by the shared ambition that, by 2050, everyone who develops breast cancer will live and be supported to live well.

It will provide specialist support and information for those living with the physical and emotional impact of breast cancer, as well as funding world-class research to improve prevention, detection, treatment and care and campaigning for better and equal NHS services for all those affected by the disease.

In bringing together the charities’ combined heritage, passion, expertise, funds and networks, the merger will connect the UK’s largest breast cancer research community with the UK’s largest breast cancer support community – to speak with one clear voice for those affected by the disease.

Breast cancer remains the UK’s most common cancer, with around 55,000 women and 350 men diagnosed with the disease each year.

The chair of the new charity will be Jill Thompson, currently a trustee and treasurer for Breast Cancer Care.

Both Boards of Trustees appointed Delyth Morgan, currently chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, as CEO designate for the new charity, after Samia al Qadhi decided to step down as chief executive at Breast Cancer Care, following 25 years of service. Samia will remain CEO of Breast Cancer Care until 31 March 2019 and during this time will continue to work with Delyth to ensure the merger is a huge success.

Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now will continue operating as separate organisations as they prepare to merge.

Current chairs of both charities, Lynne Berry, chair of Breast Cancer Now, and Emma Burns, chair of Breast Cancer Care, will step down at the point of merger.

The new Board of Trustees will consist of six from each existing board; Mark Astaire, Barbara Brown, Sonia Gayle, Marion Lewis, Andrew Moore, Trevor Powles, Adrian Harris, Sue Gallone, Ann Pickering, Chris Copeland and Pascale Alvanitakis Guely. At least one third of the new board has a personal experience of breast cancer.

A new senior leadership team will be appointed to lead the new charity in the coming months.

Jill Thompson said: “More women are being diagnosed with breast cancer than ever before, and there are well over half-a-million people living with the devastating impact of the disease.

“Despite the enormous progress made by both charities, the challenge that lies ahead in breast cancer is unprecedented. This merger is a bold and exciting opportunity to rise to this challenge, together, and make a significant difference to the millions affected – providing support for today and hope for the future. “