METUPUK
METUPUK is the UK's only patient-led metastatic breast cancer advocacy charity, founded in 2016 and run entirely by unpaid volunteers. It campaigns for earlier diagnosis, drug access, more clinical trials, better data, and national policy priority for MBC patients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersNorthwold, Thetford, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What METUPUK does
METUPUK (Metastatic Exchange To Unleash Power United Kingdom) is a UK-registered patient advocacy charity (charity number 1196494) founded in 2016 by Jo Taylor, who established the UK chapter after meeting METUP founder Beth Caldwell in London. The organization is the only metastatic breast cancer (MBC)-specific patient advocacy group in the UK, and operates with no paid staff — five volunteer trustees, including Laura Ashurst (Chair, appointed January 2026), Emma Smith (Fundraising Trustee), Phil Southwell (Finance Trustee), Dr Helen Steele, Sue Thomas, and Kat Southwell, run all operations. METUPUK is entirely patient-led, with volunteers who are themselves living with MBC, providing advocacy grounded in direct lived experience of the disease.
The charity's core activities center on five advocacy priorities: earlier recognition of red flag symptoms to enable faster diagnosis; increased access to life-extending drugs and treatments; greater numbers of MBC-reflective clinical trials; improved data collection on MBC patients; and policy changes to keep MBC patient care a national priority. Notable outputs include the Red Flag Infographics (created via abcdiagnosis, signposted by NHS England for personalized care plans), the award-winning #DarkerPink campaign launched in 2021, a 2022 TV commercial that aired across 12 UK channels reaching almost 2 million people, and a 70,000+ signature parliamentary petition demanding change for MBC patients. Strategic partnerships include ABC Global Alliance (International Ally), Breast Cancer Now, Macmillan Cancer Support, Welsh Government and NHS Wales health boards, the Northern Ireland Cancer Charities Coalition (joined June 2024), and the National Audit of Metastatic Breast Cancer (NAoMe). METUPUK's technology footprint is minimal — the charity maintains a website, clinical trial database, and patient education infographics, but does not operate a software platform.
METUPUK's business model is donation-based, with no commercial products or services. Revenue derives from voluntary donations through the charity website and fundraising events (e.g., Nick's 310-mile bike ride through Wales), with no publicly disclosed financials. The organization has successfully influenced regulatory outcomes, including NICE and Scottish Medicines Consortium approval of Trodelvy for NHS use, and has helped secure clinical nurse specialist posts within NHS Foundation Trusts. The charity is also registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (SCO55472) and operates regional groups including MBC Wales, with planned expansion to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
METUPUK firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- METUPUK
- Legal name
- METUPUK (Metastatic Exchange To Unleash Power United Kingdom)
- Website
- https://metupuk.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- METUPUK is the UK's only patient-led metastatic breast cancer advocacy charity, founded in 2016 and run entirely by unpaid volunteers. It campaigns for earlier diagnosis, drug access, more clinical trials, better data, and national policy priority for MBC patients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
METUPUK industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Patient Advocacy Services
- NAICS
- Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Global Health Research, Evidence & Technical Assistance Organizations (HLAJAKAN), Health Systems Strengthening & Universal Health Coverage (UHC) (BPADAIAE)
Keywords
Where METUPUK is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Northwold, Thetford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
METUPUK business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: METUPUK relies on donations from supporters and fundraising activities. The charity received a £25,000 donation from Emma Smith and fundraising campaigns from supporters including Nick's 310-mile bike ride through Wales.
- Charitable Donations: The charity accepts donations through its website with the stated purpose of using funds to achieve aims and objectives that make a real difference to people with metastatic breast cancer.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels9 records
METUPUK product offering
Product offeringCore offering
METUPUK is the UK's only patient advocacy charity dedicated to metastatic (secondary) breast cancer. It delivers free advocacy, awareness, and support services aimed at turning MBC into a chronic illness. Core activities include campaigning for drug access (e.g., Trodelvy approval via NICE/SMC), driving earlier recognition of red-flag symptoms through educational infographics, and providing patient-led community support across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Product overview
METUPUK is a patient advocacy charity, not a commercial product company. It operates awareness campaigns (#DarkerPink, #IAmThe31), provides educational resources about metastatic breast cancer, advocates for drug access and clinical trials, offers patient support resources, and conducts advocacy work for policy changes. The organization does not offer commercial products or software services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Red Flag Infographics (#SBCinfographic)
Quantifiable outcome
- Darker Pink TV campaign reached almost 2 million people across 12 TV channels including prime time Emmerdale slot
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use METUPUK
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
METUPUK technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
METUPUK partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, minor and supporting.
- ABC Global AlliancecoreMETUPUK is an International Ally of the ABC Global Alliance, a global coalition working to improve the lives of those living with advanced/metastatic breast cancer.
- Breast Cancer NowcoreMETUPUK partnered with Breast Cancer Now for parliamentary petition hand-in with over 70,000 signatures. Breast Cancer Now launched the 'Unsurvivors' campaign that METUPUK supports.
- Macmillan Cancer SupportmajorMacmillan supports secondary breast cancer nurses in Wales health boards and provides welfare benefits support for MBC patients. METUPUK works with Macmillan on patient support initiatives.
- Welsh Government and NHS Wales Health BoardscoreMETUPUK works with Welsh Government, Welsh Cancer Network, and all health boards in Wales on the Metastatic Breast Cancer Pathway, secondary breast cancer nurse posts, and GP education programs.
- Northern Ireland Cancer Charities Coalition (NICCC)majorMETUPUK joined the NICCC in June 2024 to work collaboratively with partner charities to improve outcomes for cancer patients in Northern Ireland.
- Hearts & Hope 4 HelenminorHearts & Hope 4 Helen donated to METUPUK, with cheque handover at the Darker Pink exhibition in Glasgow.
- Break Creative PartnerssupportingBreak Creative Partners created and produced the Darker Pink 2022 TV commercial, supporting the campaign with creative services.
- NAoMe (National Audit of Metastatic Breast Cancer)coreMETUPUK has been involved in the NAoMe project for the last year alongside other patient groups and stakeholders, working with NATCAN and Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
METUPUK competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Prevent Breast Cancer: A UK-based breast cancer charity focused on prediction and prevention research. While focused on primary prevention rather than metastatic disease, it operates in the same UK breast cancer charity ecosystem and addresses overlapping patient and policymaker audiences.
Broad incumbents
- Cancer Research UK: The world's largest independent cancer research charity. METUPUK Chair Laura Ashurst previously served as a Cancer Campaigns Ambassador for Cancer Research UK, indicating overlapping advocacy and patient-support missions despite Cancer Research UK's broader research focus.
- Susan G. Komen: The world's largest breast cancer organization, addressing breast cancer across the continuum including metastatic disease. Comparable as a large incumbent breast cancer advocacy organization with overlapping awareness, research funding, and patient support activities.
- Macmillan Cancer Support: The UK's leading cancer support charity providing welfare benefits support and secondary breast cancer nurses in Wales. METUPUK collaborates with Macmillan on patient support initiatives, making it a broad incumbent peer addressing overlapping patient populations.
Emerging players
- Living Beyond Breast Cancer: A US-based nonprofit providing support and education for people impacted by breast cancer, with specific programs addressing metastatic disease. Comparable as a peer patient-support organization serving MBC patients with overlapping education and community-building activities.
Direct peers
- METAvivor: A US-based nonprofit dedicated specifically to metastatic breast cancer research, awareness, and patient support. Closely comparable mission focus on stage IV/metastatic breast cancer advocacy, drug access, and clinical trial awareness.
- Breast Cancer Now: The UK's largest breast cancer charity, with whom METUPUK partnered on the 70,000+ signature parliamentary petition hand-in and the 'Unsurvivors' campaign. Directly comparable mission focused on breast cancer patients in the UK with overlapping advocacy and policy goals.
- Make 2nds Count: A UK-based patient and family focused charity dedicated specifically to secondary (metastatic) breast cancer. Directly comparable niche focus on MBC patients with overlapping awareness, research funding, and patient support activities.
- ABC Global Alliance: A global coalition working to improve the lives of those living with advanced/metastatic breast cancer. METUPUK is an International Ally, making it a direct peer in international MBC advocacy, treatment access, and policy alignment.
- METUP (US): The original US-based metastatic breast cancer patient advocacy organization founded by Beth Caldwell. METUPUK was explicitly created as its UK chapter in 2016 after founder Jo Taylor met Beth Caldwell, making it the most direct peer in mission and structure.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
METUPUK social profiles
Digital presenceMETUPUK financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
METUPUK leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
METUPUK funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
METUPUK M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about METUPUK
What does METUPUK do?
METUPUK is the UK's only patient advocacy charity dedicated to metastatic (secondary) breast cancer. It delivers free advocacy, awareness, and support services aimed at turning MBC into a chronic illness. Core activities include campaigning for drug access (e.g., Trodelvy approval via NICE/SMC), driving earlier recognition of red-flag symptoms through educational infographics, and providing patient-led community support across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Is METUPUK a public or private company?
METUPUK is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was METUPUK founded?
METUPUK was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is METUPUK based?
METUPUK is headquartered in Northwold, Thetford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does METUPUK make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are charitable Donations.
Who are METUPUK's main competitors?
Prevent Breast Cancer is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Cancer Research UK, Susan G. Komen and Macmillan Cancer Support. Living Beyond Breast Cancer is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are METAvivor, Breast Cancer Now, Make 2nds Count, ABC Global Alliance and METUP (US).
Does METUPUK have an API?
No public API is recorded for METUPUK.
What industry is METUPUK in?
METUPUK's product category is Patient Advocacy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAA, Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS), with a secondary code of HLAJAKAN, Global Health Research, Evidence & Technical Assistance Organizations. Its NAICS code is 6241 and its SIC code is 8300.