More than £411,000 raised by Craig Maxwell and supporters across Wales will fund the next phase of research into faster, less invasive cancer diagnostics.
The £411,080 investment from the Maxwell Family Fund, held by Velindre University NHS Trust Charity, will support the QuicDNA Max programme, expanding innovative liquid biopsy research that could transform how cancer is diagnosed, monitored, and treated.
The funding marks the latest milestone in the remarkable journey of Craig Maxwell, who was diagnosed with incurable stage 4 EGFR lung cancer in 2022 at the age of 40. Driven by a desire to create more time with his children and a better future for others facing cancer, Craig and his family have raised an extraordinary £1.6 million for research. Since his diagnosis, Craig has become one of Wales’ leading cancer research fundraisers, inspiring thousands of supporters to help accelerate innovation for future patients.
Craig Maxwell, his wife Tracey, and their children Isla and Zach, shared:
“What started as a personal journey has grown into something far bigger than we could ever have imagined. Through the Maxwell Family Fund, we’re not only honouring everyone who has supported us along the way but investing in research that has the potential to transform cancer diagnosis and treatment for future generations. Knowing that funds raised by our family, friends, supporters, and communities across Wales are now helping advance QuicDNA Max is incredibly special. We hope to create a legacy that gives hope to others facing cancer.”
The QuicDNA study was the catalyst for Craig’s fundraising journey in 2022, when researchers needed an additional £300,000 to advance the trial. Four years later, that story has come full circle, with funding raised through Craig’s efforts now powering the next phase of this pioneering research.
The original QuicDNA study demonstrated that circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) testing for lung cancer significantly shortened the genomic diagnostic pathway when compared with standard tissue testing, enabling patients to access personalised targeted treatments sooner. For Craig, whose own diagnosis took 78 days, reducing these delays could make a significant difference to future patients and families facing the uncertainty of cancer.
Building on this success, the QuicDNA Max research programme will expand this innovative technology to additional tumour types and across all health boards in Wales, supporting more personalised treatment and disease monitoring.
The study was named QuicDNA Max in recognition of the extraordinary contribution Craig Maxwell, the Maxwell family and their supporters have made to advancing the original QuicDNA research.
QuicDNA Max is a truly Wales-wide collaboration, bringing together partners from across all NHS University Health Boards in Wales, Velindre University NHS Trust, Cardiff University’s Centre for Trials Research, government, industry and the third sector.
The first patient has already been recruited to the colorectal QuicDNA Max study through Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.
Funding from The Maxwell Family Fund will help deliver QuicDNA Max over the next two years, supporting research with the potential to transform cancer diagnosis and care for patients across Wales and beyond.
Magdalena Meissner, Velindre Consultant and Clinical Lead for QuicDNA Max, said:
“The support of The Maxwell Family Fund is helping us advance cancer research and care across Wales. Building on the success of QuicDNA study in lung cancer, we can expand the use of liquid biopsy technology to other cancer types, enabling more patients to access personalised treatment
“This innovative approach can provide faster, less invasive testing, helping patients access the right treatment sooner. We are incredibly grateful to the Maxwell family and everyone who has supported this project, making research that could benefit patients across Wales and beyond possible.”
The investment represents another milestone in Craig’s mission to change the future of cancer care, ensuring that funds raised by communities across Wales continue to drive research that could improve outcomes for patients for years to come.
How You Can Help
To donate to The Maxwell Family Fund at Velindre: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/maxwellfamily-genomicsfund
