Who we are

Our vision is of a future free from the fear of bowel disease through research, education and dissemination of clinical excellence.

St Mark’s Hospital Foundation is a charity that raises vital funds and awareness of the pioneering research at St Mark’s, the UK’s national bowel hospital.

Our mission is to improve the lives of patients affected by complex bowel disease through research, education and the dissemination of clinical excellence.

Our vision is to create a future free from the fear of bowel disease.

Mr Ian Jenkins is a Consultant Surgeon at St Mark’s.

Bowel disease deserves attention because…

  • Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the Western world
  • It is the fourth most common cancer in the UK
  • 100 people a day are diagnosed with bowel cancer
  • IBD is a painful and debilitating disease that affects 5 million people worldwide

Our progress

St Mark’s Hospital Foundation consistently raises money throughout the year which helps fund cutting-edge research, education and training.

The clinical and research staff at St Mark’s have made progress in areas including;

  • Imaging and diagnostic screening
  • Genetics and gut biomes
  • Parenteral nutrition
  • Tissue engineering
  • Organoid research
While screening programmes have helped reduce cases in older adults, young people are being diagnosed at unprecedented levels. Diagnoses of under 50s are projected to double between 2010 and 2030. The ‘Boomers’ research programme, a collaboration between St Mark’s Hospital and the Institute of Cancer Research, is trying to figure out why. Professor Kevin Monahan, St Mark’s gastroenterologist, and Professor Trevor Graham, lead ICR researcher, appeared on BBC Breakfast, Radio 1, and in various print publications in January 2026 to discuss the project.

Fundraising team

Please get in touch if you have any questions about the cutting-edge research & education we fund, comments or feedback. We would love to hear from you

Board of Trustees

Our board of trustees are responsible for the strategic direction and the overall management of the Foundation