2025 overview by the Secretary General
Work on the National Cancer Strategy began in 2024 when Parliament granted the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (MSAH) € 80,000 to initiate the planning process for the strategy. The MSAH commissioned the Finnish Cancer Center (FICAN), and the CSF were actively involved in the preparatory work.
Experts from our organisation were appointed to the project secretariat and working groups. The Secretary General of the CSF and the Director of the Finnish Cancer Registry are members of the National Cancer Strategy steering group. Finland’s first National Cancer Strategy was approved in autumn 2025.
The third year of the wellbeing services counties highlighted ongoing financial challenges. Many regions conducted cooperation negotiations and reduced staff. Using reports from our member associations, we monitored how cancer treatment and our own activities continued in the new circumstances. In December, the Council of the Cancer Society expressed concern about achieving nationwide equality in the health and social services reform.
State funding from STEA will decrease by €80 million annually from 2025 onward, significantly affecting third-sector activities and increasing competition for funding. In autumn 2025, the Cancer Society of Finland joined other NGOs in a demonstration during the government’s budget negotiations, opposing a proposed €100 million cut. Advocacy efforts were successful, and the proposal did not proceed.
The traditional Cancer Society Days were held in 2025 in Helsinki. The Council, boards and committees mainly met in hybrid meetings. Other meetings convened remotely.
In 2025, the Chair of the Cancer Society’s Board was Rauno Ihalainen (PhD), and the Chair of the Cancer Foundation’s Board was Professor Sirpa Jalkanen.
The CSF is funded by government grants (STEA and THL), membership fees (member associations), EU projects, and its own fundraising. Our own professional fundraising enables us to achieve a stable funding base.
Cancer Foundation Finland’s role as a funder of the CSF and its member associations is more important than ever. The Foundation’s brand and reputation are assets that we will both protect and strengthen over the long term. Cancer Foundation Finland’s fundraising is based on three pillars: the Pink Ribbon Collection, regular donations, and bequests.
The 2025 Pink Ribbon campaign raised €5.9 million—a record. “Munien puolesta” campaign campaign on prostate and testicular cancer was organised for the second time. Bequest income performed strongly, reflecting continued trust in the Foundation.
Cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of those affected require effective research in order to advance. Cancer Foundation Finland is the most important private funder of cancer research in Finland. In 2025, the Cancer Foundation awarded over €8 million in research and travel grants.
Individual CSF members belong to regional cancer associations and national patient organisations. Fundraising for member organisations is developed with the support of the central organisation.
The costs of cancer treatment are monitored annually, and according to the latest data, €1.5 billion is spent annually on cancer treatment in Finland. Up-to-date cancer statistics are available from the Cancer Registry.
The CSF works with people and for people. This provides a strong foundation for the efforts of our volunteers, elected officials, employees and donors.