Syöpäsäätiö, Cancer Foundation Finland

What Syöpäsäätiö, Cancer Foundation Finland does

Syöpäsäätiö (Cancer Foundation Finland) is a Helsinki-based charitable foundation (säätiö sr, business ID 0237165-7) founded in 1948 that operates as Finland's largest private funder of cancer research. The foundation raises funds exclusively through donations from individuals and corporations and distributes them as research grants and patient support services. It is part of the Syöpäjärjestöt (Cancer Organizations) umbrella, which includes 12 regional cancer societies and 6 national patient organizations, providing nationwide patient service reach through the free Luoto support service.

The foundation's core product is its research grant program, which awarded a record 8 million EUR in 2022 and offers major three-year grants of 600,000 EUR, multi-year research grants, 4,000 EUR dissertation grants, and travel grants, processed through the electronic syopasaatio.rimbert.fi application system. It also operates the Finnish Cancer Registry (Suomen Syöpärekisteri), a population-level statistical and epidemiological research institution funded with approximately 1.2 million EUR annually that contains unique nationwide cancer data. An AI-assisted breast cancer screening research project led by Tytti Sarkeala is in development. Additional products include the Syövän kustannukset (Cancer Costs) analytics tool hosted on Azure for healthcare decision-makers.

Syöpäsäätiö generates revenue through five streams: individual donations (one-time, monthly, memorial, and testamentary), corporate partnerships and sponsorships (with named partners including AIG, Black Horse, Liiga, MTV, Oriflame, ACO, and DAVA Kultamuna), testamentary bequests, campaign-specific fundraising across Roosa nauha (Pink Ribbon, breast cancer), Munien puolesta (For the Boys, prostate and testicular cancer), and Aurinko (Sun, skin cancer), and workplace giving programs. Donations are accepted via website, bank transfer to three Finnish banks, MobilePay, phone (20 EUR), and SMS (15 EUR), with corporate partnership tiers starting at 1,000 EUR and tax-deductible donation limits between 850-50,000 EUR. The foundation holds Fundraising Permit RA/2020/1107, is GDPR compliant, and operates with 25 employees from its headquarters at Mäkelänkatu 2, 00500 Helsinki.

Name

Syöpäsäätiö, Cancer Foundation Finland

Legal name

Syöpäsäätiö sr

Website

https://syopasaatio.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Syöpäsäätiö (Cancer Foundation Finland) is a 1948-founded Helsinki-based charitable foundation that raises donations to fund cancer research grants and patient support services, operating as Finland's largest private cancer research funder.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Research Charitable Foundation Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

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

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL), Health Research Funding Agencies (Public/Quasi-Public) (HLAJALAB), Global Health Research, Evidence & Technical Assistance Organizations (HLAJAKAN)

Keywords

• Cancer research funding
• Charitable foundation services
• Cancer patient support
• Donation collection programs
• Epidemiological research

Headquarters

HQ city

Helsinki

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual donors including monthly contributions, one-time gifts, and commemorative donations (muistolahja, muistokeräys). Donors contribute via bank transfer, MobilePay, phone, and SMS.
2. Corporate partnerships and sponsorships: Corporate donations and partnership agreements where companies support cancer research and patient support. Partners include AIG, Black Horse, Liiga, MTV, Oriflame, ACO, DAVA Kultamuna. Companies receive marketing visibility and communication packages in return.
3. Testamentary bequests: Legacy gifts and testamentary donations left to the foundation in wills. Managed with full legal support and estate execution services.
4. Campaign-specific fundraising: Targeted campaigns including Roosa nauha (breast cancer), Munien puolesta (prostate/testicular cancer), Aurinko (skin cancer prevention), and themed collections. Each campaign has designated funds for specific cancer research areas.
5. Workplace giving: Companies facilitate employee giving through workplace collections, day-of-work donations (päivätyökeräys), and matching programs. Employers deduct corporate donations between 850-50,000 EUR for tax purposes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Syöpäsäätiö is Finland's largest private funder of cancer research, operating as a charitable foundation funded entirely by individual and corporate donations. It distributes cancer research grants (major grants of 600,000 EUR over three years, research grants, dissertation grants, travel grants), operates the Finnish Cancer Registry for population-level epidemiological research, and delivers free patient and family support services including the nationwide Luoto counseling service and three flagship awareness campaigns (Roosa nauha, Munien puolesta, Aurinko).

Product overview

Syöpäsäätiö (Cancer Foundation Finland) is Finland's largest private funder of cancer research, operating as a charitable organization funded entirely by donations. The organization offers a portfolio of fundraising campaigns (Roosa nauha for breast cancer, Munien puolesta for men's cancers, Aurinko for skin cancer prevention) and support services (Luoto support service), alongside its core research funding programs. Research funding includes major grants (600,000€), research grants (1-3 years), dissertation grants (4,000€), and travel grants awarded annually through an electronic grant application system. The Finnish Cancer Registry, operated by the foundation, conducts population-level cancer research. A publicly available cancer costs analytics tool enables regional and cost-type analysis for healthcare decision-makers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Roosa nauha: Annual pink ribbon campaign for breast cancer research and awareness
• Munien puolesta
• Aurinko-kampanja
• Suomen Syöpärekisteri
• Luoto

Products and services

• Cancer Foundation Grants (Syöpäsäätiön apurahat) Research funding program offering major grants (600,000 EUR over 3 years), research grants (1-3 years), dissertation grants (4,000 EUR one-time), and travel grants for Finnish cancer researchers.
• Finnish Cancer Registry (Suomen Syöpärekisteri) Statistical and epidemiological research institute that conducts population-level research on cancer causes, prevention, early detection, and survival factors. Operated by Syöpäsäätiö and considered unique globally.
• Cancer Costs in Finland Tool (Syövän kustannukset Suomessa -työkalu) Annually updated web-based analytics tool providing cancer cost statistics by region, cancer type, and cost category, enabling cost trend analysis and regional comparisons for policymakers and healthcare professionals.
• Luoto Support Service (Luoto-palvelu) Free nationwide support and discussion service for cancer patients and their loved ones, maintained by Syöpäjärjestöt (Cancer Organizations).
• Donation Services (Syöpäsäätiön lahjoituspalvelut) Multiple donation options including one-time donations, monthly donations, memorial gifts, testamentary donations, major donations, and workplace day-of-service collections, accepting donations via MobilePay, phone, SMS, and bank transfer.
• Grant Application System (Apurahojen verkkohakujärjestelmä) Electronic grant application system (syopasaatio.rimbert.fi) for submitting and managing cancer research grant applications. The 2026 application period runs from June 1 to August 19, 2026.
• Roosa nauha Pink Ribbon Campaign (Roosa nauha -keräys) Annual breast cancer awareness and fundraising campaign supporting breast cancer research and patient support, with corporate and individual fundraising activities.
• Munien puolesta For the Boys Campaign (Munien puolesta -keräys) Campaign supporting prostate and testicular cancer research in Finland, featuring corporate partners (Liiga, MTV, AIG, Black Horse, DAVA Kultamuna, Oriflame) and branded merchandise with per-item donations (e.g., 9 EUR per bracelet).
• Aurinko Sun Campaign (Aurinko-kampanja) Summer campaign raising awareness about sun protection and skin cancer prevention, collecting funds for cancer treatment development with ACO cosmetics as the 2026 partner.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of cancer patients now survive (vs. 1/3 in 1948)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LiigacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial partner of the Munien puolesta (For the Boys) campaign raising awareness about prostate and testicular cancer. Liiga sells Munien puolesta bracelets through its network of fan shops and mobile application. Partnership engages hockey fans in men's cancer awareness and fundraising.
• MTVcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner for Munien puolesta campaign, providing broadcast visibility and coverage for men's cancer awareness efforts. Partnership leverages MTV's media reach to amplify campaign messaging to Finnish audiences.
• ACOcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSun protection brand ACO partners with Syöpäsäätiö for Aurinko (Sun) campaign. ACO donates 0.10 EUR per sun protection product sold between March 1 - July 31, 2026 to cancer research. Campaign raises awareness about skin cancer prevention.
• Black HorsecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerApparel brand Black Horse sells Munien puolesta bracelets (9 EUR, 0.80 EUR to research), boxer shorts (0.80 EUR/unit to research), and socks (0.25 EUR/unit to research). Partnership includes online store sales and Movember campaign collaboration.
• OriflamecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCosmetics company Oriflame offers Munien puolesta men's grooming product sets (North for Men by Giordani Gold and Subzero sets), donating 1 EUR per set to prostate and testicular cancer research.
• DAVA KultamunaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEgg producer DAVA Kultamuna provides recipe content and brand visibility for Munien puolesta campaign, sharing creative egg recipes to promote men's health awareness.
• AIG FinlandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance company AIG partners with Munien puolesta campaign, donating 10% of first-year premiums for serious illness and cancer insurance policies to cancer research. Partnership combines insurance product promotion with charitable giving.
• Nordic Cancer Union (NCU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordic Cancer Union coordinates joint cancer research projects across Nordic countries. Finland held the NCU chairmanship 2021-2023. Cancer Foundation co-finances NCU research projects through the Nordic Cancer Research Fund.
• Finnish Cancer RegistrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Finnish Cancer Registry (Syöpärekisteri) is a statistical and epidemiological research institution operated by Syöpäsäätiö. It maintains unique population-level cancer data and conducts screening research. Supported with approximately 1.2 million EUR annually.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Movember Foundation: Global men's health charity focused on prostate and testicular cancer research. Direct comparable to the Munien puolesta campaign in target disease area and community-driven men's cancer fundraising model.
• Cancer Research UK: UK's largest cancer research charity funding research, providing patient information, and running iconic campaigns. Most direct global comparable: similar size, similar fundraising-driven model, and similar research-funding mandate.
• Danish Cancer Society (Kræftens Bekæmpelse): Denmark's largest cancer charity combining research funding, patient support, and cancer prevention. Operates a cancer registry and engages in advocacy, closely mirroring Syöpäsäätiö's full-stack model.
• Swedish Cancer Society (Cancerfonden): Sweden's largest private cancer research funder, also donation-funded and operating a national cancer registry. Closest Nordic peer with highly comparable structure, Nordic Cancer Union co-funding, and similar population-scale mandate.
• Norwegian Cancer Society (Kreftforeningen): Norway's primary cancer research and patient support nonprofit, donation-funded, with campaigns and research grant programs. A Nordic Cancer Union co-member with overlapping mission and fundraising model.
• Susan G. Komen: Global breast cancer-focused nonprofit known for the iconic Pink Ribbon campaign. Directly comparable to Syöpäsäätiö's Roosa nauha campaign in brand-driven disease-specific fundraising and research grantmaking.

Emerging players

• Livestrong Foundation: US cancer-focused nonprofit supporting patients and funding research. Comparable in patient-support and fundraising-driven model, though smaller-scale and narrower program scope.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Major US cancer research and treatment institution that combines clinical care with research funding. Comparable as a research-driven cancer organization, though operating model differs (clinical vs. grantmaking).

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: Largest US cancer nonprofit with research funding, patient support, and advocacy. Comparable mission and revenue model but at much larger scale and broader geographic scope.
• National Cancer Institute (NCI): US government agency that funds cancer research and operates surveillance programs. Comparable in research funding scale and population-level cancer data role, but funded by government rather than donations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/syopasaatio
• Facebookfacebook.com/syopasaatio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/syopasaatio-cancer-foundation-finland
• Instagraminstagram.com/syopasaatio/?hl=fi

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Syöpäsäätiö, Cancer Foundation Finland