“We can all be part of the human-sized picture.”
Baroness Tessa Jowell
1947 –2018
The Tessa Jowell Foundation is delivering Tessa’s legacy by raising funds to expand and accelerate the delivery of the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM).
The Tessa Jowell Foundation was founded by Tessa’s family following her death and is led by her daughter Jess Mills. The Foundation is a founding member and key strategic funder of the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission, where we work in partnership with 95+ leading stakeholders in brain cancer including Cancer Research UK, NIHR, NHS leaders and all of the leading UK brain cancer charities to deliver Tessa’s extraordinary legacy and transform NHS brain cancer services.
In her famous last speech in the House of Lords, Tessa appealed for society’s big problems to not be put into the “too difficult box”.
The Tessa Jowell Foundation is focused on raising much-needed funds so that the TJBCM is able to deliver its hugely ambitious national programmes that serve to close shocking health inequality gaps in the UK.
Funding Impact to Date
14 hospitals across the UK have been designated as adult Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence, covering a population of 40 million people.
This work has been commended by the NHS as being "unprecedented and exemplary", showing real impact for both brain cancer professionals and patients.
6 paediatric neuro-oncology centres were designated Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence for Children in April 2024.
Over 1,500 Health Care Professionals have joined the Tessa Jowell Academy, a free online platform providing free training, resources, and networking opportunities. It is creating the first truly national network of brain cancer professionals.
3 Supportive Care Communication Courses have been delivered by the Academy team across the UK, fuelled by our co-funding.
Our Vision
A world where the best cancer treatment and care is available to all
Our Mission
We gather the world’s experts to develop cutting-edge solutions for cancer and implement them fairly for every patient
