Golden retriever Zoe was diagnosed with stage three lymphoma in 2015.

Jayne May founded Zoe's Journey UK to help make new treatments a reality.

A dog lover has raised more than £250,000 to support canine cancer research after her own dog, Zoe, was diagnosed with the disease.

Jayne May founded Zoe's Journey UK in honour of her four-legged companion to help other dogs and their families experiencing similar diagnoses.

The campaigner set herself a goal of £5,000 to fund research into canine cancer and never imagined what she would go on to achieve.

When her golden retriever Zoe was diagnosed with stage three lymphoma in 2015, Jayne's wish was to help other owners and their dogs undergoing a similar experience and champion research into improved treatments.

Seven years on, Jayne and her supporters have raised an incredible £250,000 to further crucial research into the disease, initially at the Animal Health Trust (AHT) and later at the Royal (Dick) School of Animal Studies.

Canine cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs, with around one in every three developing the disease. Certain breeds and older dogs are more susceptible to specific types of cancer, and researchers at the University of Edinburgh are working hard to develop a greater understanding about how it develops and how to improve treatment outcomes. 

Despite a poor prognosis, Zoe overcame all odds and, following several chemotherapy sessions, became free of cancer and went on to live a happy, healthy life. She passed in her sleep, cancer free, in 2016.

Dr Maciej Parys, veterinary clinical lecturer at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, said: “I am very grateful to Jayne May and to everyone who has taken part in Jayne’s fundraising auction, donated to our JustGiving page, or set up a regular donation to Edinburgh University through Direct Debit. Better knowledge of canine cancer should ultimately lead to more successful treatments for this awful disease. 

“Thanks to the donated funds we are working on novel tools to study cancer and to make new treatments a reality. Research is both time consuming and expensive, and we are extremely grateful to everyone at Zoe’s Journey UK for their continued and very generous support of vital research into canine cancer.”

Image (C) University of Edinburgh.