Medical research is a glimmer of hope families look to in their darkest hour of need
Gennadiy, whose daughter Sophia has spinal muscular atrophy
Saving and changing lives FOR over 70 YEARS
Since 1952 our research has helped to beat polio in the UK, develop ultrasound screening in pregnancy, fight meningitis, prevent stillbirths, and so much more.
Right now we are funding vital research projects across the UK, with many more ready to go. But we simply can’t fund them all.
There is still so much to do. So many children still need our help.
Join our fight for little lives today and help sick and disabled babies and children.
Bringing hope to many thousands of families across the UK
eva'S STORY
Four-year-old Eva has a very rare liver disease called progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 (PFIC3). This condition causes severe and progressive damage. Treatment options are currently extremely limited, with affected children eventually needing a lifesaving liver transplant.
It feels like a ticking time bomb. At the moment, Eva is well enough to live relatively normally. But we know there will come a time when her heath degrades significantly again
Eva's mum, Sophie
HELP FIGHT RARE DISEASES
Thousands of families across the UK are coping with the challenges of caring for a child with a rare and devastating condition for which there is no cure. With your help, we are striving to develop new treatments, giving hope to forgotten families. Together we can fight rare diseases.
75% of rare diseases start in childhood
Around 95% of rare diseases lack an effective treatment
30% of children with a rare disease lose their lives before their fifth birthday
Our current research includes
- Developing gene therapy for the liver disease PFIC3.
- Searching for drug treatments for Vici syndrome, a devastating life-limiting disease.
- Developing an urgently needed new treatment approach for rare and fatal childhood brain tumours.
FLETCHER'S STORY
Fletcher was born 16 weeks prematurely, weighing just 705 grams. He was so vulnerable that he was immediately whisked away to neonatal care and endured multiple life-threatening infections. He fought sepsis, pneumonia, E. coli and necrotising enterocolitis – a severe bowel disease – before he was finally allowed home 15 weeks after his birth.
We wouldn't be here as a happy family if it weren’t for all the research that goes into prematurity and the amazing medical staff who saved our little boy’s life multiple times
Fletcher's mum, Rosie
HELP FIGHT FOR SICK BABIES
Action is fighting to find ways to prevent premature birth and to prevent complications that threaten vulnerable babies. We are fighting to give the best possible outlook for ALL babies who’ve had a difficult start to life.
Our current research includes
- Developing a new antimicrobial treatment that could help prevent preterm labour in women known to be at high risk.
- Reducing the risk of infections from breathing tubes in premature babies.
- Using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify premature babies most at risk of a serious lung condition.
See more of our research helping sick babies
Fletcher pictured in neonatal intensive care
AIDEN'S STORY
Aiden suffered a brain injury at birth. He is severely affected by cerebral palsy as a result, but a range of treatments and therapies are helping him make positive progress. Action is funding research to help children facing the challenges of a range of disabling and lifelong conditions.
Without previous medical research, Aiden's outcome could have been even more severe. Research that could further advance new treatments is so important
Aiden's dad, Keith
HELP CHILDREN WITH DISABLING CONDITIONS
Action is fighting to help children facing a lifetime of challenges caused by disabling conditions, such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis or learning disabilities. We are fighting to help those coping with chronic conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease and epilepsy.
Our current research includes
- Improving understanding of the causes of foot deformity in children with cerebral palsy to help alleviate pain and improve mobility.
- Studying if children with MS could benefit from potential new treatments currently being tested in adults.
- Investigating new brain scanning techniques to guide treatment for children with severe epilepsy.
- Developing new, non-invasive tests to guide treatment for pre-school children who suffer from wheezing.