Cranes was founded in July 2003 with a mission to raise funds in support of locally based research into the causes and prevention of all forms of cancer.  The charity is run by a voluntary committee, with minimal administrative costs and all monies raised go directly to local cancer projects.  Since then, we have raised in excess of £800,000 and disbursed funds of:  £140,000 to the Colorectal Unit and Chest Clinic at Foresterhill which enabled the purchase of endoscopy simulators - machines used in training staff in techniques used for the early detection of cancer.  £115,000 over a 2 year period to the University of Aberdeen research department which enabled them to appoint a clinician to do an in-depth study on the effects certain foods have on the colon.  £5,000 to launch a 'Future Leaders in Cancer Research Fund', which will enable the brightest medical students to work on a research project or visit a lab overseas.  Further details are on our research page.  £60,000 to the University of Aberdeen research department to assist in the purchase of a state of the art machine which will dramatically improve their research capability.  Further details are on our news page.