Timeline
1987 - Charity founded by surgeons Steve Leveson and John Craven along with research scientist Coilin Garner.
1987 - Jack Birch, a local well respected businessman and ex-Lord Mayor of York was appointed as the first chairman.
1988 - The first research project and personnel were funded to produce internationally acclaimed work. The first of many very successful charity balls was held.
1991 - Mark Sessions took over as Chairman.
1992 - The Jack Birch Unit of Molecular Carcinogenesis at the University of York was officially opened to house our research workers, and the first Specialist Oncology Nurse at York Hospital was appointed. The second of the 5 Specialist Oncology Nurses funded by the Charity at the Hospital was appointed.
1997 - The 10th Anniversary appeal was launched jointly with the Evening Press to fund a Cancer Care Centre at York Hospital
1998 - The following year saw the opening of the Cancer Care Centre at York Hospital with the Charity funding staff and complementary therapies. The York Against Cancer Trading Company was also established.
1999 - Professor Jenny Southgate was appointed as Director of the Jack Birch Unit.
2000 - A third Specialist Nurse was funded by the Charity to work in the Cancer Care Centre.
2002 - Patrick Shepherd took over as Chairman.
2003 - The Charity funded a counselling service for cancer patients at the York Hospital.
2005 - Fifth Specialist Oncology nurse appointed.
2007 - The charity’s 20th anniversary appeal - raised money to buy and run a mini bus transporting patients from York Hospital to hospitals in Leeds, where they receive radiotherapy treatment.
2008 - An independent review found the work of the Jack Birch Unit "outstanding, original and of high scientific value" and praised its growing international reputation.
2009 - We fund a number of care posts aimed at providing support for individuals affected by cancer - and their families.