Background

CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA is the UK's leading charity dedicated to fighting childhood leukaemia.

A FAMILY’S DOUBLE TRAGEDY

Paul O’Gorman was 14 years old when he was diagnosed with leukaemia. His chances of survival were excellent and a bone marrow donor found, but just three months after his diagnosis and prior to his transplant, Paul contracted a virus and unable to fight it, he died.

Whilst in hospital Paul asked his family to help other children affected by leukaemia. Jean O’Gorman, Paul’s sister, immediately began to organise a fundraising campaign to honour their promise to Paul, and along with other family members, organised The Paul O’Gorman Banquet and Ball. But tragedy was to strike the O’Gorman family again – just days after the event which she helped to arrange, and less than a year since Paul died, Jean died of breast cancer, aged 29.

DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES

Touched by this double tragedy, Diana, Princess of Wales met with the O’Gorman family and was instrumental in the forming of CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA (formally the Paul O’Gorman Foundation for CHILDREN WITH LEUKAEMIA), which she inaugurated on 12 January 1988.

Over £90 MILLION RAISED TO DATE

Since 1988, CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA has grown from a small memorial charity to Britain’s leading charity dedicated to the conquest of childhood leukaemia. To date, the charity has raised over £107 million pounds for vital research into treatment and prevention, support for leukaemic children and their families and to campaign on behalf of children with leukaemia and at risk of leukaemia.

COSTS TO A MINIMUM

CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA is dedicated to keeping administration costs to a minimum. In 2008, governance costs accounted for less than 0.5% of total expenditure. The charity has 17 full time permanent staff, with assistance from volunteers. Temporary and short contract staff are used when necessary.

TRUSTEES

Our organisation consists of a small staff conducting fundraising and welfare initiatives, governed by our Board of Trustees, led by Chairman and founder Eddie O’Gorman.

CELEBRITY SUPPORT

CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA is fortunate to receive support from many well known celebrities. Personalities who have kindly given their time to spearhead major fundraising appeals include Sir Michael Caine, Lennox Lewis, Sir Paul McCartney, Ant & Dec, Phil Collins, Frank Bruno, Brenda Blethyn, Gary Lineker, Linda Robson, Sir David Jason, Jonathan Ross, Sir Steve Redgrave, Dame Judi Dench, Cilla Black, Joanna Lumley and many more.

GRANT MAKING

Historically, many of CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA’s grants were for capital projects – the bricks and mortar that constitute the 15 Paul O’Gorman Centres around the UK today.

During the last few years, emphasis has been increasingly placed on the work that goes on inside these buildings. CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA has become a major funder of scientific research, not only to improve treatments, but also to research the causes of childhood leukaemia and ultimately to prevent it.