Occtopus – 2025 Charity

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Occtopus – 5 Star Events Charity for 2025

Occtopus – Oxford Colon Cancer Trust

Founded in 2003 by consultants and former patients of Oxford University Hospitals, Occtopus, or the Oxford Colon Cancer Trust charity, is a leading Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer charity. The charity pioneers new treatments for colorectal cancer, colitis and Crohn’s and influences how they are treated across the NHS and funds breakthrough national and international research to improve patient outcomes and care.

Donations to the charity helps to fund research and innovation at the Oxford Colorectal Surgery department which has an international reputation and is leading the way in the management of colorectal diseases. It also funds UK wide research and training in IBD and colorectal cancer and the team have pioneered laparoscopic, keyhole and robotic surgery. 

The charity is chaired by Professor Neil Mortensen who is a Professor of Colorectal Surgery, Nuffield Department of Surgery, University of Oxford. 

There is evidence that the incidence of  colorectal (bowel) cancer is increasing in Europe.  According to the World Cancer Research Fund, data on cancer cases in the UK shows:

  • –  There are around 44,706 new bowel cancer cases in the UK every year, that’s nearly 123 every day (2019)
  • –  Bowel cancer is the 4th most common cancer in the UK (2019)
  • –  Bowel cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in women, with around 20,759 new cases every year (2019)
  • –  Bowel cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in men, with around 25,303 new cases every year (2019)

Anything to do with the bowel is a ‘Cinderella’ subject. It does not have the immediate appeal that heart or children’s disease has for example and donations to cancer charities fell by £64million last year. Which is why the generosity of our supporters is so critical.

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