News story
4 November 2026
- A pioneering new cancer hospital in Cambridge that will bring world-leading research and clinical care together under one roof has been brought one step closer, thanks to a £1 million gift from the ALBORADA Trust
- The hospital is set to change the story of cancer – improving cancer diagnosis, treatment and survival rates for patients
- “We are incredibly grateful to the ALBORADA Trust for their commitment to Addenbrooke’s Charity and the development of the pioneering new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, for which we are fundraising,” say the hospital charity.
A £1 million gift from the ALBORADA Trust has brought a world-leading cancer research hospital for Cambridge one step closer.
Set to improve cancer diagnosis, treatment and survival rates, Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital will bring world-leading cancer research and clinical care together under one roof to improve outcomes for patients.
The generous donation was part of a larger commitment to cancer research and care, with the trust donating a further £9 million to Cancer Research UK, which was matched by CRUK and will fund 12 Fellowships in the cancer field, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of cancer research and innovation.
Tom Gull, Co-Director of Philanthropy at Addenbrooke’s Charity said: “We are incredibly grateful to the ALBORADA Trust for their commitment to Addenbrooke’s Charity and the development of the pioneering new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, for which we are funding.
“Together with their generous donation to CRUK, who have matched the ALBORADA Trust’s £9 million donation to establish a long-term Fellowship Programme, this will have a huge impact on cancer services in the region and beyond.”
Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital will unite world-class clinical expertise with cutting-edge research to transform the way cancer is prevented, diagnosed and treated. Collaboration across Cambridge University Hospitals, the University of Cambridge, and partner organisations is creating an extraordinary community unmatched in scale or calibre in the UK. This will speed discoveries into practice, deliver life-saving treatment sooner, and fuel scientific and economic growth across the UK.
Dr Hugo Ford, Clinical Lead for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital said: “We have a unique opportunity to bring research closer to patients, helping us detect cancer earlier, personalise treatment and improve outcomes for patients across our region and beyond.
“By bringing scientists into the heart of our clinical spaces, we can accelerate discoveries and translate them into better care for patients more quickly.”
Thanking the ALBORADA Trust for its ongoing support, Tom said: “The ALBORADA Trust has been incredibly supportive of our charity over the years. During COVID they moved swiftly to support Addenbrooke’s staff – funding new wellbeing rooms and creating a hardship fund to ease financial pressures. They have also supported our £1.5 million public campaign to purchase a da Vinci Xi robotic system for Addenbrooke’s – which since its introduction back in 2023 has had a huge impact on patients – cutting waiting lists and enabling patients to recover faster from surgery, meaning they can return home sooner, often in a matter of hours or days, as opposed to weeks.”
The ALBORADA Trust was founded by Kirsten Rausing in 2001 and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The Trust’s funding was initially based on the racecourse earnings of the Founder’s homebred World Champion filly ALBORADA. It supports medical and veterinary research and education, the welfare of animals and the provision of relief to disaster areas worldwide.
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