After its first year as a charity ThymicUK has raised just over £10,000 from fundraisers and donations to help those affected by rare Thymic cancers. The figure comes following the world’s first awareness month in May 2022.

“The money raised will help us towards our goals of increasing awareness, providing support, advocating for research and pushing for better treatments.” says Karen Ruddock, ThymicUK founder and chair.

Karen launched ThymicUK in 2018 as a patient support group while receiving treatment at Guy’s Hospital in London. In 2021 the support group was incorporated into a charity.

The latest milestone comes a year after ThymicUK became a charity and was able to accept donations.

Charity funds were given a much appreciated boost in May following the world’s first thymic cancer awareness month, which ThymicUK has co-organised along with the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG) and the British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG).

In addition to webinars for patients and doctors, interviews and social media messages multiple fundraisers were held during the month to raise funds and increase awareness.

ThymicUK founder Karen Ruddock inspired others with her 100km walk throughout the month of May, while others were inspired to hike a mountain. Also a fundraiser was held at 2 trampoline parks in Wales in memory of a colleague.

Karen went on to say:

“People have been so generous, we at ThymicUK and members of the community are extremely grateful. Thymic cancers are extremely rare and the overwhelming support gives us the confidence that we will better be able to complete our aims.”