Broadcaster Davina McCall has narrated a new short film promoting the planned Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, following her own breast cancer diagnosis in October last year. The 58-year-old revealed in April that she had received the 'all clear' after surgery, adding a personal dimension to the film's message that 'cancer touches every life'.
Personal Battle and Recovery
McCall, who also underwent surgery in 2024 to remove a benign brain tumour, described meeting staff delivering cutting-edge cancer treatment as an honour. Her narration highlights the collaborative effort between patients, doctors, and scientists at the new facility.
Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital Vision
The Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital will be a new facility that brings together clinical expertise at Addenbrooke’s Hospital with leading scientists from the University of Cambridge and the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, and the film showcases visualisations of the planned building.
In the film, McCall states: “Cancer touches every life; for many of us, it becomes part of our story, but here in Cambridge, something extraordinary is happening. Patients, doctors and scientists are coming together with one shared purpose, to change what a cancer diagnosis means.”
Key Figures and Fundraising
The film features Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald OBE, inventor of the capsule sponge (also known as the pill-on-the-thread), which detects the precursor to oesophageal cancer. Prof Fitzgerald, the research lead for the new hospital, said the facility is essential to accelerate research into clinical care.
Dr Hugo Ford, director of cancer services at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and clinical lead for Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, commented: “Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital will unite world-class healthcare with cutting-edge research to transform the way we prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.”
Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust and the University of Cambridge are working to raise £41 million to make the groundbreaking facility a reality.
