Who We Are

LET’S CELEBRATE!

We are very proud of how we have helped the people of in our city the last 25 years. Cancer unfortunately still touches nearly every family through a relative or friend. Here in York back in 1987 a small group of people wanted to make life easier for local people with the disease. 

York Against Cancer was founded by two surgeons, Steve Leveson and John Craven, along with research scientist Colin Garner. Jack Birch, businessman and ex-Lord Mayor was appointed as the first chairman. These men believed that facilities for cancer patients in York could be better. Steven Leveson explains his motives behind setting up YAC;

“There was a prestigious dept of biology at the university doing good quality cancer research, but funding in those days was difficult.

There were areas in patient management which were missing. This included the need for specialist oncology nurses and support for patients and their relatives. An area was needed which would act as a resource centre for counseling and information. Also the public needed more education about cancer.

Those are the motives, what continues to amaze me is how it has been so successful. The science has been productive and the additional patient-related activities have drawn acclaim from many organizations and from external quality assessment organizations.

Most importantly the public have benefitted greatly from these activities and have been very appreciative.”

Since the beginning YAC have been working alongside York (District) Hospital and the University of York to improve care and fund research. In our second year we funded our first research project which produced internationally acclaimed work. From this success 4 years later we went on to set up the Jack Birch Unit of Molecular Carcinogenesis at the University of York and fund research workers there. 

More highlights of our 25 years include 5 Specialist Oncology Nurses at the Hospital, a specialist counseling service and a number of care posts and a DVD about bowel cancer.

We have helped train GP receptionists on how to handle bereavements and hard news. We have a family support worker who can visit families and offer advice. 

A very big achievement was our opening the Cancer Care Centre at York Hospital. Here we fund staff and complimentary therapies for patients.

A popular service is our own minibus and drivers, we transport patients for treatment to hospitals in Leeds. We have our own shop now too at York Hospital...Christmas gifts and cards on sale now!

We also are committed to education and regularly give talks to school pupils and students. To help spread the word about healthy living we have produced children’s sun hats, school education packs and even beer mats found in student bars giving advice on checking for cancers.

Our RESEARCH, CARE and EDUCATION in York is there for you.

Keith Hayton has been our Administrator for 8 years and an Executive member for longer. As he explains ;“What York Against Cancer has done is help in dispel some of the fear of cancer and provide real support for both people affected and their families...... and almost everyone is effected by cancer. It can bridge some of the gaps in care and work with the NHS and fit in with it to offer support. The charity can help everyone in York.”

We are dedicated to what we want to do and we have fun doing it. Our staff, fundraisers and volunteers have come up with some amazing ways to help patients and how they raise the money....well you won’t believe some of the antics.

‘Charity begins a home’ the saying goes and York is home to the YAC family. We feel we are a family charity, with the love and support that can offer. As Keith Hayton explains;

“I think YAC as a local charity is much more personal and more understandable than a national one, it is also cheaper to run and doesn’t waste money on administration. There is a place for both, national charities can produce more expensive literature and have more resources, but a local charity can be owned by local people.”

 You’d be amazed at what we have achieved so far and we know we can do more the older we get....with your help. So please join us in our special Silver Anniversary Year. 

   YORK AGAINST CANCER BELONGS TO YOU.

Registered Charity Name: York Against Cancer | Registered Charity No: 1130835
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