Maggie’s and the Ruth Strauss Foundation to join forces
Wednesday 20 May 2026
Maggie’s and the Ruth Strauss Foundation (RSF) today announced that they will come together as a single organisation to support more people impacted by cancer.
From June, colleagues from the will begin to transition to Maggie’s with their vital work continuing, including support for families and training programmes.
The two organisations already work in close partnership and share similar values, legacies and ambitions to help people with cancer and their families.
With six million more people expected to receive a cancer diagnosis between now and 2040, combining resource and expertise means Maggie’s can extend the reach and breadth of its support to help thousands more people and their families.
About the Ruth Strauss Foundation and ĢƵ
The (RSF) was established in 2019 by former England cricket captain Sir Andrew Strauss in memory of his late wife, , who died in 2018 from an incurable non-smoking lung cancer.
The charity supports families where a parent is living with incurable cancer, helping them navigate difficult conversations with their children so they can build understanding, connection and resilience together.
Maggie’s has 27 cancer centres across the UK, providing free practical and emotional support for people impacted by cancer at every stage of cancer, with plans to be at every major cancer hospital in the UK.
Maggie’s also offers online support for people who need it.
Many Ruth Strauss Foundation events, such as , taking place at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Friday 5 June, will continue as normal.
Sir Andrew Strauss will become an Honorary Patron of Maggie’s.
Support for people and families facing cancer
Dame Laura Lee DBE, Chief Executive of Maggie’s, said: “The Ruth Strauss Foundation has provided much needed care and support to thousands of families facing cancer over the last seven years. Staff should be incredibly proud of all they have achieved.
“Their important work will continue as they become part of Maggie’s. We will prioritise their vital support for families and work closely with staff to ensure that Ruth’s legacy lives on through the work that we do.
“This is an exciting opportunity to grow the work that we do and reach new communities. We are grateful to Andrew Strauss and the Ruth Strauss Board for trusting us to take Ruth’s legacy and work forward.
Ultimately, with growing numbers of people being diagnosed with cancer, we want to ensure we are there to support everyone who needs us, so no one has to face cancer alone.
Ines Thiru, Chief Executive of The Ruth Strauss Foundation, said: “What began as Ruth’s determination to ensure her children could continue to thrive, both during the uncertainty of living with incurable cancer and after her death, has grown into a trusted network of support for families across the UK.
“I am incredibly proud of what our team has achieved in just seven years since our inception. Together, we have built something truly meaningful that is making a real difference to families navigating the most difficult of circumstances, and those affected by non-smoking lung cancer.
“As we look ahead, we are excited to build on these strong foundations under Maggie’s, together building a cohesive, integrated and holistic network of care.
“We are deeply grateful to the cricketing community, whose support has been instrumental in driving our work forward. We look forward to continuing to grow our reach through sport, so that no family has to face cancer and grief alone.”
We are here with you
Whatever stage you're at, whatever it is you're facing, we're here to support you and your family as you navigate a cancer diagnosis.
Our cancer support specialists, psychologists and benefits advisors are here to help you find the right support for you, including talking to children about cancer.
- Come and see us at your nearest Maggie’s
- Call us on 0300 123 180 or arrange a callback
- Email us at [email protected]