The Campaign
This campaign is run by Saving Faces. We aim to raise £5 million to fund this research post in perpetuity.
Join the one million people who will donate to reach our target.
Running Totals
£78,504
Donated
437
Donations
Click below to donate!
Scroll down to see the latest donations and messages
Saving Faces
Every year 1 million people in the UK are treated for facial diseases, injuries and disfigurement. These can cause life changing physical scars and difficulties with eating and speaking, resulting in a lifetime of emotional and sociological harm.
The surgical research charity, Saving Faces, has led research to prevent and improve treatment for these conditions.
For example, Saving Faces led the first ever nationwide surgical research project comparing two different operations for mouth cancer. It found that both are relatively successful but one was more successful. This research was praised by the President of the Union of International Cancer Control (UICC) because the difference means that 30,000 more patient’s lives will be saved worldwide every year with the better treatment (one person every 15 minutes). This type of nationwide research whose results have an immediate impact improving surgical treatment is exactly what the new Alan Rickman Professor will deliver by working with many surgeons internationally.
Alan Rickman
Alan Rickman (Professor Snape in Harry Potter, Hans Gruber in Die Hard and the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves) was a founding patron of Saving Faces. He was passionate about research to improve treatment for people with conditions affecting the most socially important part of our bodies – the face. He had an ambitious vision to fund a Professor who would achieve this by leading surgeons around the world with ground-breaking research that would improve treatment and save the lives of thousands of people worldwide.
Saving Faces is working with Alan’s widow Rima to run a crowd funding campaign so that at least 1 million people can honour this brilliant actor’s wish, and keep his unique voice alive, by donating at least £5 to the campaign. These Donors can also take pride in their contribution to improving the lives of thousands of people.
Latest Donations
Polly de Lotbiniere
Donated £5 1 month ago
I can\'t wait to come to the Carols - I hope we all raise enough so the amazing research can continue and progress.
Helen Grimes
Donated £500 1 month ago
Thanks Professor Hutchinson for being there. You and your team make such a difference. Helen & Niall
Wil Stewart
Donated £25 1 month ago
Well done Iain. Love Wil.
Venus Crofts
Donated £10 1 month ago
For Alan
nicholas whyman
Donated £100 1 month ago
Great pitch and good cause!
Martin Kenny
Donated £200 1 month ago
Hope this helps
Elizabeth Cam
Donated £20 1 month ago
Brilliant charity
Helen Brannigan
Donated £100 1 month ago
From Helen Brannigan x
Tom Anholt
Donated £50 1 month ago
Great cause ??
Richard Holttum
Donated £100 1 month ago
Nik and Helen x
Anon.
Donated £200 1 month ago
Important charity
Anon.
Donated £5 1 month ago
Great charity
Actor/filmmaker Alan Rickman attends the Apple Store Soho: Meet The Filmmaker: Alan Rickman, “A Little Chaos” on June 19, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
Why do we need The Alan Rickman Professorship?
Facial diseases, disorders and injuries occur frequently. Every year, around 5% of every country’s population will have treatment for a facial disease or injury. For example, every year in the UK
- 125,000 people suffer severe facial injuries
- 13,000 people develop disfiguring mouth and head and neck cancers. These are the fifth commonest cancer in the world.
- 50,000 people need treatment for facial skin cancers.
- 30,000 people need surgery for facial deformity.
- Jaw joint pain and stiffness affects many teenagers and some need joint replacement
Surgical research to improve treatment for facial disorders and injuries is essential.
But despite the vast number of people with facial problems research funding to improve treatment is pitiful. For example, research funding for facial injuries is virtually non-existent and most cancers receive significantly more research funding than mouth and face cancers – sometimes as much as 37 times more!
Paintings from The Saving Faces Art Project by Mark Gilbert. Read Mazeeda’s story here.
How Alan Will Help Change Lives with Saving Faces
Alan Rickman was a Founding Patron of Saving Faces and when he launched the National Facial, Oral and Oculoplastic Research Centre he said:
“I believe Saving Faces next project is to appoint an outstanding surgical Professor. Let me help you achieve this.”
Alan left us money in his will which we are using to start funding this campaign and help fulfil his challenge.
Our Ambassadors
The ambassadors are all committed to Alan’s challenge as they all loved Alan and know how this campaign will make a difference to many lives.
- Emma Thompson
- Ruby Wax
- Miriam Margolyes
- Juliet Stevenson
- Lindsay Duncan
- Zoë Wanamaker
- Mike Newell
- Beatie Edney
- Peter Dyer OBE
- Mervyn Druian
- Brent Hoberman Founders Forum
- Jon Snow
- Lionel Barber
- Ben Page CEO IPSOS
- Lord David Puttnam CBE
- Baroness Helena Kennedy KC
- Professor Dame Parveen Kumar