The Throat Cancer Foundation is proud to share that our late CEO and founder, Jamie Rae, has been recognised with a tribute by HPV World—a leading international platform focused on the prevention of HPV-related cancers—for his pivotal role in securing gender-neutral HPV vaccination in the UK.
Jamie Rae died peacefully but far too soon on 5 May 2025, aged just 60. Diagnosed and successfully treated in 2010 with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer—a diagnosis that would go on to shape the rest of his life.
HPV World is an internationally respected organisation dedicated to raising awareness, sharing research, and promoting best practices in the global fight against cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Their recent tribute highlights Jamie’s outstanding legacy and the lasting change he brought about through his advocacy, legal action, and leadership.
After a successful business career—founding and growing a major Scottish recycling firm into an international enterprise—Jamie sold the company in 2010. Just as he was preparing for a new chapter, he received the devastating news that he had throat cancer caused by HPV.
During his treatment, Jamie was dismayed by the lack of reliable information and support for patients like him. More than that, he was angry to learn that his cancer could likely have been prevented if he’d received the HPV vaccine as a boy. At that time, the UK vaccination programme only covered girls.
This injustice spurred Jamie to found the Throat Cancer Foundation in 2012, with a clear mission:
- To support everyone affected by throat cancer, and
- To campaign for gender-neutral HPV vaccination so that no boy or man would be left unprotected.
Jamie also helped establish HPV Action UK, a coalition of over 50 organisations, where he served on the executive committee and provided vital funding and strategic support. Under his leadership, the Throat Cancer Foundation took the bold step of launching legal action against the UK Government on the grounds that the exclusion of boys from the vaccination programme constituted sex discrimination under equality law.
Although the case never reached court—the Government changed its policy first—the action played a significant role in influencing the outcome. The UK became one of the first countries in the world to introduce a fully gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme.
As HPV World states:
“Jamie Rae played a unique and historic role in advancing gender-neutral vaccination policy in the UK… He challenged political indifference and institutional inertia with a calm, determined voice rooted in lived experience.”
Jamie’s courage and commitment earned widespread respect across the public health and cancer care communities. He was recognised as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and his work continues to shape HPV prevention policy both in the UK and beyond.
“Jamie’s calm, measured, thoughtful, kind and generous presence will be missed but definitely not forgotten by his many friends and colleagues in the HPV and cancer community in the UK and beyond.”
– HPV World
We at the Throat Cancer Foundation remain committed to carrying forward Jamie’s vision. His legacy is already saving lives—and will continue to do so for generations.
Read the full tribute from HPV World here:
Tribute to Jamie Rae – HPV World
If you would also like to support Jamie Rae’s legacy and the Throat Cancer Foundation’s work in raising awareness of HPV related throat cancers, please donate here. https://www.justgiving.com/page/jamierae
