Our Story

A group of people walking in a line with their arms around each other

The York Against Cancer story began in 1987 when Professor Leveson, a former senior lecturer and consultant surgeon at St James’ Hospital in Leeds, set out to make a difference to those in York living with cancer.

Professor Leveson formed a partnership with fellow surgeon, Mr John Craven, and university researcher, Professor Colin Garner. The three wanted to commit to cancer research in the local area, but suffered from the same funding restrictions that we see today.

When they realised that they would need to tap into other sources, York Against Cancer was born.

To date, the charity has raised more than £20 million for local cancer care, research and education. Here are just some of the milestones that the Charity has reached in that time.

1987	York Against Cancer was established in 1987 by Professor Steve Leveson, fellow surgeon John Craven and Dr Colin Garner
1987	Soon after, Judi Dench became a patron of the Charity
1988	In 1988 we secured funding for our first research project
1989	By 1989 we had appointed our first oncology nurse, in response to growing concerns around chemotherapy. We soon grew this team, ready to treat local people
1992	Since 1992 we have funded the Jack Birch Unit in the Biology department at the University of York where internationally acclaimed cancer research is undertaken
1997	By 1997, we made our founding aim a reality: to establish a cancer care centre at York Hospital and provide a non-clinical safe haven for cancer patients
2007	Since 2007 we have transported radiotherapy patients from their homes in and around York to St. James’s Hospital in Leeds free of charge in our minibus, covering over 16,000 miles a year
2009	Since 2009 we have provided thousands of free sun hats to primary schools in York as part of our sun awareness campaigns
2010	In 2010 we opened the doors to our first gift shop at York Hospital, before opening our second gift shop at York Community Stadium in 2021. 100% of the profit made from sales in either of our two gift shops contributes to the work of the charity
2016	In 2016 we granted £35,000 to a consultant gastroenterologist at York Hospital to identify those most at risk of bowel cancer
2017	Since 2017 we have provided cancer patients and their families with a free short stay at our seaside holiday home in Filey
2017	In 2017 we funded Yorkshire’s first Mobile Chemotherapy Unit, which has helped provide hundreds of extra patient treatments across areas in North and East Yorkshire
2017	We received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the equivalent of an MBE!
2019	In 2019 we donated £100,000 to the York Plasma Institute which is working to prevent and treat prostate cancer
2022	In 2022 we donated £680,000 to fund a world-leading surgical robot at York Hospital
2023	In 2023 we opened a holiday home in Yapham for couples affected by cancer to stay in free of charge
2023	In 2023 we opened The Leveson Centre, our new cancer support centre at York Community Stadium, which offers cancer patients, their families and friends a range of holistic support services

As a charity, we continue to grow and develop our services all thanks to the ongoing support we receive from local donors, individuals, businesses and groups.

The team are joined by a whole host of volunteers who help with working in the shops, driving the minibus, helping in the office and hosting events.

If you would any further information about York Against Cancer, call us on 01904 764466 or email office@yorkagainstcancer.org.uk.