Foreign Sisters UK
Royal Opera House - Foreign Sisters Lunch 2023
Foreign Sisters Annual Lunch
Foreign Sisters was founded by Lady Palumbo in 2007 under the umbrella of Cancer Research UK's National Events Committee. The objective of the group is to mobilise a dynamic and powerful group - high profile international women in the UK - to raise awareness of Cancer Research UK's vision and to help make it a reality by supporting the vital work of its scientists and doctors.
Over the past 16 years, Foreign Sisters has raised over £2.2m for Cancer Research UK through an annual luncheon attended by women from over 60 countries, based or living in London. Their greatest achievement has been raising £1m since 2012 for the Francis Crick Institute, a biomedical research institute in King's Cross, where the Foreign Sisters have been able to fund a laboratory of their own. The Foreign Sisters now raise vital funds for our Future Leaders Programme which helps ensure scientific progress continues at pace and lifesaving research is future proofed.
We are delighted to announce that the Foreign Sisters Lunch will be returning to London in Spring 2024 on May 9.
For more information, please email special.events@cancer.org.uk
Foreign Sisters Committee
Founder: Lady Hayat Palumbo
2024 Committee: Dalia Fateh, Joey Horn, Arabella van Niekerk, Lady Hayat Palumbo, Kathryn Raphael & Debora Staley
Foreign Sisters Annual Lunch
Date: May 9 2024
Venue: Royal Opera House, London
Tables of 10 available at £2,500
Individual tickets available at £250 each
For more information, or to purchase your table/ticket(s), please get in touch with a member of our Special Events team by clicking on the link below.
The Lily of the Valley
The Lily of the Valley is the emblem of the Foreign Sisters. This May flower represents the renewed hope that Cancer Research UK offers each time a breakthrough is achieved, and symbolises the friendship and community of Foreign Sisters.
Foreign Sisters Lunch 2023
In May 2023, 260 guests attended the annual Foreign Sisters Lunch at the Royal Opera House, raising over £270,000 for life-saving cancer research. Guests enjoyed a drinks reception on the beautiful terrace overlooking Covent Garden, followed by a two-course lunch in the stunning Paul Hamlyn Hall.
Guests heard from inspirational speaker Susannah Cleverly, who shared her own personal experience of cancer and how vital the funding of scientific research is. The funds raised at the 2023 Lunch will support and nurture early career researchers, allowing them to build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills at a pivotal point in their development.
