2024-04-30-accounts - Blood Cancer Alliance

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Docusign Envelope ID: 4C06D5FA-98CE-4E38-8B44-755E8C20B927

Blood Cancer Alliance

Charity number 1202693

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period 12 April 2023 to 30 April 2024

Docusign Envelope ID: 4C06D5FA-98CE-4E38-8B44-755E8C20B927

Blood Cancer Alliance

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period 12 April 2023 to 30 April 2024

Contents	Page
Trustees' report	2 to 5
Examiner's report	6
Statement of financial activities	7
Balance sheet	8
Notes to the accounts	9 to 10

Docusign Envelope ID: 4C06D5FA-98CE-4E38-8B44-755E8C20B927

Blood Cancer Alliance

Trustees' report for the period 12 April 2023 to 30 April 2024

About the Blood Cancer Alliance

Our Constitution

The Blood Cancer Alliance (BCA) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) association formed on 13 April 2023 - Charity Commission Registration Number 1202693, registered in England and Wales. Our constitution is available to view on our website.

Public benefit statement

In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

Objectives and activities

Our objects

To advance the health and save lives in relation to blood cancer, in particular by:

l raising awareness about blood cancer,
l formulating and promoting improved treatment mechanisms and strategies that more effectively address the needs of people affected by blood cancer; and,
l promoting collaboration between organisations working in the field of blood cancer, in order to maximise the value and benefits of blood cancer work for the benefit of the public.

Our ambitions

The BCA is an Alliance of UK blood cancer charities. Our vision is to see all people with blood cancer live longer, better lives. Together, we are going to change the conversation around blood cancer in order to improve diagnosis, treatment and care.

We believe that effective engagement with policy makers is vital if we are to achieve that goal. To this end, we have adopted five strategic goals - three which represent the changes we want to see for patients, and two representing the changes we would like to see in policymaking that will lead facilitate these improvements in diagnosis, treatment and care:

Our goals for blood cancer patients:

1 Diagnosis is improved for all blood cancer patients
2 All blood cancer patients have access to kinder, better treatments, trials and care across the UK
3 Health inequalities do not influence access to diagnosis, treatment and support

Our goals for UK cancer policymaking:

1 Blood cancer is recognised as a common cancer
2 Blood cancer is addressed in national cancer strategies, plans and policies

Our Contact Details and People

BCA Trustees

The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were:

 Samantha Braithwaite - Chair

Charlotte Crowley
Monica Izmajlowicz

They were all appointed on 13 April 2023.

Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees

The trustees of the charity are appointed by the members of the Blood Cancer Alliance at a duly convened meeting.

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Blood Cancer Alliance

Trustees' report (continued) for the period 12 April 2023 to 30 April 2024

BCA Steering Committee

Fiona Hazell – Co-Chair
Sophie Castell – Co-Chair
Helen Rowntree – Vice-Chair
Ropinder Gill – Vice-Chair

BCA Policy Group

Georgia Papacleovoulou – Co-Chair
Amy Capper – Co-Chair
Charlotte Crowley – Member
Chris Walden – Member
Yasmin Sheikh – Member

BCA Staff

Katie Begg – Policy and Development Manager
Sebina Zisa-Davies – Finance and Admin Officer

Our members

ACLT (African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust), Anthony Nolan, Blood Cancer UK, CLL Support, CML Support, DKMS, Leukaemia Care, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Northern Ireland, Leukaemia Cancer Society, Leukaemia UK, Lymphoma Action, MDS UK, Myeloma UK, Race Against Blood Cancer and WMUK.

Registered and principal address

c/o Withers LLP 3rd Floor, 20 Old Bailey London EC4 7AN

Email: info@bloodcanceralliance.org

Bankers

CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ

Independent examiner

Katy Sargeant ACA Chartered Accountant 40 Severus Avenue York YO24 4LY

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Blood Cancer Alliance

Trustees' report (continued) for the period 12 April 2023 to 30 April 2024

Achievements and performance

2023-24 Activity Summary

Becoming an Operational CIO and launching a new strategy

After operating for six years as an informal alliance of charities with no legal status, the BCA established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission in April 2023. We have a board of three trustees and a steering committee consisting of the CEOs of four member organisations. Each of the member organisations are represented by their CEO and there is also a Policy Group made up of employees from the member charities. Our new status provides us with a more solid foundation for increasing our activity and progressing our vision and mission.

As a new entity, we focused on putting proportionate policies and procedures in place for an organisation of our size and structure. We also started the recruitment process for a Policy and Development Manager and Finance and Admin Officer to help deliver the operational plan underpinning our strategy.

We launched our new strategy – Changing the Conversation Around Blood Cancer. This sets out our ambitions over the coming five-year period, including our goals for both blood cancer patients, and for UK policy-making, which we will be striving to achieve (please see above under “Our ambitions”). This strategy was developed in partnership with our member charities. It involved in-depth consultation with many stakeholders within the cancer community. We analysed not only the current cancer policy environment in which we operate, but also the specific and unique challenges blood cancer patients face when navigating their care and support pathway – from diagnosis, through treatment, in recovery and at end-of-life.

Patient experience of treatment and care

During our 2023-24 year, we worked to promote our response to the Major Conditions Strategy consultation – raising awareness of the need to improve diagnosis, information and care for blood cancer patients. During Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September 2023, we partnered with the University of Hertfordshire to produce a new video which outlined the inequalities experienced by blood cancer patients from minority ethnic backgrounds and promoted this via social media and within Parliament.

Improving Patient Data

We also commissioned new research on blood cancer data relating to its availability, quality and collection across the four nations, and once the research phase is complete, we will seek to influence NHS bodies across the UK to improve the availability and quality of data.

In Q4 of our 2023-24 year, the BCA initiated work to develop our Manifesto 2024 – A Strategy for Blood Cancer, ahead of the 2024 General Election. It leads with an overarching policy call for a new national cancer strategy that includes specific and targeted new measures to support blood cancer patients. Our Manifesto also includes a number of specific policy calls around improving diagnosis, removing barriers to access to treatment innovations, and tackling the impact of health inequalities on our patient group.

Access to treatment

A core focus for the BCA during this period has been our work to influence the UK’s systems and processes for ensuring blood cancer patients can access the most effective and innovative treatments for their condition. The BCA was very active during the VPAG negotiation period in summer 2023. We engaged with Government and industry representatives to promote the importance of the removal of barriers to access to new treatments for blood cancer patients and ensure the patient voice was represented within the process.

Funding

We wish to thank all of our funders for their generous support in 2023/24. These include AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squib, Gilead, Incyte, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Roche, Servier and Takeda.

Whilst we receive funding from the pharmaceutical industry for the work we carry out, we are wholly independent of these commercial organisations, and that includes our decision making.

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Blood Cancer Alliance

Trustees' report (continued) for the period 12 April 2023 to 30 April 2024

Our Plans for 2024-25

We are now in a strong position to operationalise and deliver on our ambitious strategy. Our immediate plans include:

l Rebuilding our influence in the new Government and Parliament : We will be running a high-profile influencing campaign to secure the support of returning and new MPs in Parliament, to ensure we have strong advocates who can influence for specific measures for blood cancer within Government and NHS policymaking. We will also be directly engaging with the Department for Health and Social Care, NHS England, NICE and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to raise the profile of blood cancers and the need for specific policy solutions to improve patient outcomes and experience.
l Continuing to influence on access to treatment : We are currently out to tender for research support to build our evidence base on barriers to access to new treatment. This research project will analyse terminated appraisals in blood cancer in comparison to all oncology appraisals, as well as identifying how many blood cancer treatments were subject to optimised appraisals, not recommended or routed via the CDF. The research will also compare the availability of effective blood cancer treatments in the UK vs. comparator overseas jurisdictions. We hope to have this evidence base to inform our response to the Commercial Framework consultation, as well as to support our continued influencing in this area.
l Engaging with the new Government on NHS innovation : we were pleased to see the Labour manifesto commitment to a new NHS Innovation Strategy. We will be working to influence the development of this strategy to ensure it takes account of the needs of patients and addresses the current barriers to accessing new treatments that they face.
l Creating the right diagnosis metrics : The BCA supports the target for 75% of all cancers to be diagnosed by stage 1 or 2. However, many blood cancers are non-stageable, and therefore progress towards earlier diagnosis is hard to measure. This year we will build on our work to promote the adoption of a proxy for staging in blood cancer, to ensure it is being included in monitoring of progress toward cancer diagnosis targets.

Alongside our core activity to influence cancer policy, we will also continue to build on our new foundation as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. We will be reviewing our offer to our members and our industry partners, to ensure participation in the BCA is delivering for all involved. The BCA also looks forward to welcoming applications for membership from other charities in the blood cancer sector.

Financial review

The net income for the year was £94,749,all unrestricted in nature.

Reserves policy

The charity's free reserves at the year end were £94,749.

Much of the charity’s expenditure is for one off projects such as research and data analysis, and therefore would only be committed to if funds were available. Funding is received at different points during the year, and therefore there may be a lag in commissioning projects, resulting in fluctuation in the level of free reserves held at any given point in time.

The trustees have considered the minimum level of reserves required to cover costs should the charity need to be wound up, and agreed that as a minimum, sufficient funds to cover 3 months worth of essential expenditure should be held - for 2024/25 this equates to £15,000.

Approved by the board of trustees on 1/10/2024

Samantha Braithwaite (Trustee)

Docusign Envelope ID: 4C06D5FA-98CE-4E38-8B44-755E8C20B927

Blood Cancer Alliance

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Blood Cancer Alliance

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the period 12 April 2023 to 30 April 2024, which are set out on pages 7 to 10.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the CIO's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act; 2 the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3 the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: …………………………………… Name: Katy Sargeant ACA

4/10/2024

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Blood Cancer Alliance

Statement of Financial Activities

(including summary income and expenditure account) for the period 12 April 2023 to 30 April 2024

Notes 2024 Unrestricted funds £ Income from: Grants and donations (2) 50,680 Sponsorship 45,000 Bank interest 182 Total income 95,862 Expenditure on: Secretariat fees 15,638 Bank charges 25 Design and marketing - Freelance workers and secondment costs - Research costs - Strategy development - IT and website - Independent examination 450 Total expenditure 16,113 Net income / (expenditure) 79,749 Transfers between funds 15,000 Net movement in funds 94,749 Fund balances brought forward - Fund balances carried forward (3) 94,749	2024 Restricted funds £ 80,000 - - 80,000 25,900 - 968 13,958 2,250 21,780 144 - 65,000 15,000 (15,000) - - -	2024 Total funds £ 130,680 45,000 182 175,862 41,538 25 968 13,958 2,250 21,780 144 450 81,113 94,749 - 94,749 - 94,749

All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.

Docusign Envelope ID: 4C06D5FA-98CE-4E38-8B44-755E8C20B927

Blood Cancer Alliance

Balance sheet

as at 30 April 2024 2024 Unrestricted £ Current assets Cash at bank 94,749 Total current assets 94,749 Current liabilities: amounts falling due within one year Accruals - Total current liabilities - Net current assets / (liabilities) 94,749 Net assets 94,749 Funds Unrestricted funds 94,749 Restricted funds - Total funds 94,749	2024 Restricted £ 5,554 5,554 5,554 5,554 - - - - -	2024 Total £ 100,303 100,303 5,554 5,554 94,749 94,749 94,749 - 94,749

The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 1/10/2024

Samantha Braithwaite (Trustee)

Docusign Envelope ID: 4C06D5FA-98CE-4E38-8B44-755E8C20B927

Blood Cancer Alliance

Notes to the accounts for the period 12 April 2023 to 30 April 2024

1 Accounting policies

Basis of accounting

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) and with the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year.

No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.

Going concern

The trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, if it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Where grants are related to performance and specific deliverables, they are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.

Expenditure and liabilities

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out the resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

Taxation

As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.

Docusign Envelope ID: 4C06D5FA-98CE-4E38-8B44-755E8C20B927

Blood Cancer Alliance

Notes to the accounts continued

for the period 12 April 2023 to 30 April 2024

2 Grants and donations Gilead Sciences Inc. Roche Products Limited Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd AbbVie Ltd Servier Laboratories Ltd Other donations 3 Restricted funds Gilead Sciences Inc. Roche Products Limited Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd AbbVie Ltd Servier Laboratories Ltd	2024 Unrestricted funds £ - - - - - 50,680 50,680 Balance b/f Incoming £ £ - 20,000 - 15,000 - 15,000 - 15,000 - 15,000 - 80,000	2024 Restricted funds £ 20,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 - 80,000 Outgoing £ 20,000 15,000 - 15,000 15,000 65,000	2024 Total funds £ 20,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 50,680 130,680 Transfers £ - - (15,000) - - (15,000)	Balance c/f £ - - - - - -

Purpose of restriction

Fund name Purpose of restriction Gilead Sciences Inc. To support the core programme of BCA Roche Products Limited To support the core programme of BCA Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd Towards the BAME unmet need research project and campaign to raise awareness of the Access to Medicine report. The funding was awarded in 2021 prior to BCA's incorporation and held on its behalf by another charity. It was paid to BCA in March 2024. The expenditure on the project was incurred from unrestricted funds prior to incorporation as such is recognised as a transfer from restricted funding to unrestricted funds.

AbbVie Ltd To support the core programme of BCA Servier Laboratories Ltd To support the core programme of BCA

4 Related party transactions

Trustee expenses

No trustee received any expenses during this year or the previous year.

Trustee remuneration and benefits

No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.

Other related party transactions

Sophie Castell is the CEO and a Co-chair of the BCA, and is also the CEO of Myeloma UK, which is one of the member charities of the BCA. During the year Myeloma UK employed a member of staff who has been seconded to BCA - the full costs of this employment for the period have been recharged to BCA under a Memorandum of Understanding (2024: £4,658).

BCA member charities do not pay for membership and the BCA CEO/Co-chair roles are not remunerated.