Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now have announced plans to merge.

The two leading breast cancer charities will merge from April 2019, forming the ‘UK’s first comprehensive breast cancer charity’.

In a statement, Breast Cancer Care said the trustee boards of both charities believe that by uniting their shared ambition, “by 2050, everyone who develops breast cancer will live, and everyone receives the support they need to live now”.

“We can achieve more together than we can apart,” the statement said.

Breast Cancer Now was formed four years ago through the merger of research and campaigning organisations, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Campaign.

The charity will now join forces with Breast Cancer Care to create one single breast cancer charity – an opportunity they said “did not exist four years ago”.

Jill Thompson, currently a trustee and treasurer for Breast Cancer Care will chair the new charity, and Delyth Morgan, currently chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, has been appointed CEO designate.

The decision to appoint Morgan came after current Breast Cancer Care chief executive, Samia al Qadhi stepped down from her post after 25 years with the charity.

However, she will continue in her role until 31 March 2019, during which time she will work with Morgan to kick-start the merger.

Commenting on the announcement, Morgan said: “Right now, well over half a million people are living with the devastating impact of breast cancer.

"And if that wasn't heart-breaking enough, by the end of the year we'll have lost around 11,500 more lives to the disease. By merging with Breast Cancer Care, we're rising to the challenge, together."

Qadhi added: “Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now have both made incredible advances and we firmly believe now is the time to unite as one charity for everyone affected by breast cancer and rise to the huge challenge of the disease together.

“I am incredibly proud of all we have achieved for people affected by this life-changing disease over Breast Cancer Care's 45 years. Uniting will now make it possible to reach a future sooner where everyone affected by breast cancer lives and receives the support they need to live well.

“Delyth brings incredible passion and expertise and will be a wonderful leader of the new charity to, importantly, speak with one clear voice for people affected by breast cancer, both now and in future.”

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