| Formation | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Susan Michaelis |
| Founded at | Horsham, West Sussex, England |
Key people | Susan Michaelis (founder) Tristan Loraine (project manager) |
| Website | www |
The Lobular Moon Shot Project is a British campaign seeking increased research into invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC), with a particular focus on its underlying biology and the development of more specific treatments. The project was founded in Horsham, West Sussex, in 2023 by Dr Susan Michaelis, following her diagnosis of ILC. Its principal campaign objective is to secure £20 million in government funding for a five-year research programme.
The project has developed a research partnership with the University of Manchester's Manchester Breast Centre. Early research activity began in 2025 using funds raised by the project, with Professor Robert Clarke identified as the research lead.
Susan Michaelis founded the Lobular Moon Shot Project in Horsham, West Sussex, in 2023 to campaign for increased research into invasive lobular breast cancer and government funding for a large-scale research programme. Michaelis was diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer in 2013 and subsequently became an advocate for increased research into the disease, citing its biological differences from other forms of breast cancer and what she considered insufficient research into its causes and treatment.
The name Labular Moon Shot Project was inspired by the United States Moon Shot programme associated with President John F. Kennedy and was intended to convey the project's ambition for a large-scale, coordinated research effort into ILC.
In November 2024, the project announced a partnership with the Manchester Breast Centre at the University of Manchester. The partnership was intended to bring together researchers and institutions to investigate unanswered questions concerning the biology of ILC. Professor Robert Clarke, Professor of Breast Biology at the University of Manchester, was identified as the research lead.
In January 2025, the Manchester Breast Centre announced plans to conduct research into the basic biology of invasive lobular carcinoma in collaboration with the Lobular Moon Shot Project. The research was expected to take around five years and require an investment of £20 million, with the aim of potentially developing targeted treatments.
In 2023, campaigners contacted more than 100 Members of Parliament and organised a parliamentary "Walk In" event at Portcullis House in December of that year. The event enabled MPs to meet constituents affected by ILC and hear the campaign's case for research funding.
By April 2024, The Independent reported that more than 220 MPs supported the campaign's call for £20 million in research funding.
In May 2025, Liberal Democrat MP John Milne and the Lobular Moon Shot Project hosted an event in Parliament calling for £20 million for a five-year research programme. The event brought together parliamentarians from different political parties. Michaelis said at the event that more than 340 cross-party MPs supported the campaign.
In June 2025, the BBC reported that the campaign's website listed 365 MPs as supporters. Those identified by the BBC included Milne, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle.
In June 2026, Milne raised lobular breast cancer during a Westminster Hall debate. He called for government support for the proposed £20 million programme and highlighted what he described as gaps in data collection and support for people with lobular breast cancer.
In April 2026, it was reported that 465 MPs had backed calls for the Government to commit £20 million towards a five-year research programme. That month, students from Farlington School joined women with lobular breast cancer for a 22-minute silent vigil on Whitehall in London. The event again used the number 22 to represent the campaign's stated number of daily UK diagnoses. The project has also used film for public-awareness campaign, including Eve Groves, a short film produced by Fact Not Fiction Films, and the documentary Our Journey With Lobular Breast Cancer.
The central funding objective of the Lobular Moon Shot Project is a £20 million, five-year research programme into invasive lobular breast cancer. The campaign argues that the investment would enable researchers to investigate the biological characteristics of ILC and provide a basis for developing more specific treatments.
Before seeking the full government commitment, the project raised money independently to support research. In December 2023, it reported that the volunteer-run project had raised nearly £50,000 during its first six months and had no operational costs, with funds intended for ILC research.
By April 2024, The Independent reported that the campaign had raised approximately £75,000 through community fundraising.
Following a silent vigil outside 10 Downing Street in June 2025, the Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that Health Secretary Wes Streeting had agreed to meet Michaelis. Michaelis died on 9 July 2025, shortly before the planned meeting. Campaign representatives subsequently met Streeting, who said he would seek to bring campaigners and researchers together to determine a way forward and improve understanding of lobular breast cancer.
In the June 2026 Westminster Hall debate, Health Minister Sharon Hodgson acknowledged concerns about lobular breast cancer and data collection. She said that improving data collection on secondary breast cancer was a priority under the Government's National Cancer Plan and that the Government was working with researchers and campaign groups to improve understanding of lobular breast cancer.
A further Westminster Hall debate in July 2026 discussed the proposed research programme and recorded government engagement with campaigners and researchers, including a scientific roundtable involving researchers, clinicians and industry representatives. The debate included calls for a clear route and timetable for funding the proposed £20 million programme.