Ralph Lauren: Over a decade of partnership with The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity

Since 2013, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has been a proud partner of Ralph Lauren Corporation and their annual Pink Pony Initiative.

Working together

For more than 30 years, Ralph Lauren has been committed to raising awareness in their fight against cancer. The Pink Pony Initiative, the Company’s worldwide cancer awareness and fundraising initiative, supports programmes for research, screenings, early diagnosis, treatment, education and patient navigation. 

In 2013, our partnership was born from our shared ambition to support life-saving work that can develop new and better treatments for cancer patients around the world. 

Thanks to the incredible support of the Ralph Lauren community, together we have:

Inside of the Oak Cancer Centre, there is a glass door at the end of a hallway. On the wall a sign reads: "Ralph Lauren Research Centre"

Opened the Ralph Lauren Research Wing

In June 2023, we celebrated the opening of the Oak Cancer Centre together. The centre is home to the Ralph Lauren Research Wing, which brings together over 150 researchers working across multiple cancer types to speed up progress for the benefit of patients globally. 

Having researchers from different tumour specialities working alongside each other means they can easily share their latest innovations. This is helping to speed up the development of new treatments that will save the lives of patients. 

Sam sitting on a leather treatment chair in a bright and airy medical space.

“Chemotherapy is a hard process, but the Oak Cancer Centre makes a big difference. You feel welcomed and safe in the environment and there is an ambience of peacefulness. The ease of being in the building, from the digital check-in to receiving treatment in your dedicated chair, really helps as you are going through your own cancer journey. The wonderful team of nurses and staff welcome you with the warmest smiles and deliver exceptional care.” 


- Sam, a patient who received treatment in the Oak Cancer Centre

 

A researcher at the Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research wearing a lab coat, she is leaning over a lab bench and taking a look inside a microscope.

Opened the Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research

Thanks to the supporters of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, including a generous donation from Ralph Lauren, the Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research opened at The Royal Marsden, Chelsea, in 2016. 

The centre is a world-class facility for breast cancer research, staffed by a team of world-renowned clinicians and scientists working with the latest technology to set a benchmark for cancer research around the world.  

A Royal Marsden patient smiling and sitting in front of some potted flowers, wearing a stripped shirt and glasses with shoulder-length styled hair

"Being on a trial led from the Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research has given me precious extra time with my family, which I am so grateful for. 

Thanks to the option of a new immunotherapy treatment combination, I have been able to become a grandmother for the first time and I am able to see my family growing up each day."
 

- Hasna, breast cancer patient at The Royal Marsden.

About The Pink Pony Initiative

Since 2000, Ralph Lauren’s Pink Pony Campaign has taken place every October. The proceeds raised by the campaign support an international network of cancer charities including The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

The campaign's mission is to help reduce disparities in cancer care and ensure that access to quality treatment is available to everyone at an earlier, more treatable stage. 

A selection of black clothing, including a jumper and a cap. They both have a pink version of the Ralph Lauren logo on them.
Courtesy of Ralph Lauren

Pink Pony 2025

The Pink Pony Initiative, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, launched for this year on 2 October and runs throughout the month. Called “Live Well. Be Well”, the campaign is rooted in the spirit of an active lifestyle, featuring a sporty selection of men’s, women’s, children’s and accessories. 

In the UK, Ralph Lauren will donate 100% of the purchase price (excl. VAT) from the sale of the classic Pink Pony Twill Ball Cap and the Pink Pony Cable-Knit Hoodie and 25% of the purchase price (excl. VAT) of all other products in the Pink Pony collection.

Further funds will be raised from a Pink Pony Latte available at their New Bond Street and Brompton Cross stores in London and their Polo Ralph Lauren store in Bicester Village.

Shop the Pink Pony Collection, or you can donate on the Ralph Lauren UK website.

Team Ralph Lauren 

The power of our partnership is driven by the commitment and involvement of Ralph Lauren employees across stores and offices.

Pink Pony is a cornerstone programme for Ralph Lauren. Deeply rooted within the fabric of Ralph Lauren’s culture, it brings together all facets of the business, from employees who raise awareness by participating in global Pink Pony Walks and fundraising and volunteering events, to customers who give back through their purchases and donations.

In the UK, Ralph Lauren employees from across the company organise a range of fundraising events throughout the year – from silent auctions and sample sales to bake sales and raffles. They also generously give their time through volunteering days and take on challenge events which see them running, trekking and cycling. 

Inspiring Ralph Lauren employees with talks from Royal Marsden patients and clinicians.

Sharing the difference that the partnership is making is at the heart of our October calendar. Throughout the month, Ralph Lauren stores and offices across the UK welcome Royal Marsden patients and staff to speak to employees, answer questions and talk about how Ralph Lauren’s support is transforming the lives of patients at The Royal Marsden and beyond.

Emma and Fran are two of the many Royal Marsden patients who have shared their stories at these events and become closely involved in the partnership:

Fran smiling and standing in front of a Ralph Lauren coffee sign mounted to the wall, she's wearing a pink t-shirt with dungarees.
"At age 25 I was told I had two years to live. Now I’m in remission. I first supported Pink Pony in 2022, when I had just celebrated my 28th birthday and marked one year of being cancer free, which felt very poignant. I’m delighted to have had many opportunities to support Pink Pony over the years, speaking to Ralph Lauren teams in stores and offices about how important their support is for patients like myself who have directly benefitted from their fundraising. I feel very lucky and grateful to have just celebrated my 30th birthday, a milestone I was originally told I would never see, before moving to The Royal Marsden. Thank you Ralph Lauren for everything you do, your support really does make a huge difference."


- Fran

A Royal Marsden with short blonde hair, and a pink and navy striped top standing in a garden
"Life with cancer is fragile and uncertain but, 15 years on from my initial breast cancer diagnosis, I feel incredibly lucky to still be here. Having the opportunity to share my experiences with the Ralph Lauren teams and highlight how important their support is for patients like myself has been incredible. Thank you to everyone at Ralph Lauren for supporting The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity; your fundraising and donations are invaluable."


- Emma

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity would like to say a huge
thank you
to Ralph Lauren for their outstanding support, which makes a difference for patients at The Royal Marsden and around the world.

Inspired? Become a corporate partner

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity works in partnership in a variety of ways with the private sector. We can offer your business unique opportunities to engage your customers and staff, all while helping to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.

To find out more about our partnership approach, please call 020 7808 2233 or email us: [email protected]