Many of our champions have had a cancer diagnosis or have family members or friends living with cancer.
We cover a large geographical area, and there’s lots to do, so we ask volunteers to choose where and when they would like to volunteer and in the way which suits them best.
For some volunteers they like to visit events and galas and run an information stand, talking to passers by about the key messages contained in the word SMART.
Others choose to raise awareness in their workplace or at a community group where they volunteer.
Champions come together every six – eight weeks on a zoom meeting where we discuss how to reach people who might not usually hear about cancer signs and symptoms. We also organise health and wellbeing roadshows to take healthy messages out to diverse communities.
Meet some of our Champions
Ric
Ric, a retired welding engineer from Leeds, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2016, and feels fortunate that his cancer was detected early.
Ric attends events and give talks all over the region talking about the benefits of early detection, and the value of knowing your own body, so you are aware if something feels different.
“I’ve met lots of new friends and it’s enabled me to have new experiences,” he explained. “It also allows me to achieve my aims to spread the word about early diagnosis.”
Stewart
Stewart, a retired Leeds GP, is the chair of Yorkshire Cancer Community, but quickly became involved in the Cancer SMART project.
“Committees, policies and procedures are not my thing, but I love talking to people and it makes me feel I am doing something positive,” he said.
He and Ric often run information stalls or give talks together and this double act has been praised for combining Ric’s lived experience, with Stewart’s perspective as a retired GP and also as a carer for his late parents who both had cancer.
Sue
Sue combines her volunteering with her demanding role as a breast cancer research nurse at St James’s Hospital, Leeds. She helps out on Cancer SMART stalls as her schedule allows. With fellow champion David, a YCC trustee, who was diagnosed with kidney cancer, they have delivered training to Leeds Sea Cadets, where Sue also volunteers
Catherine
Catherine who lives in South Kirklees, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She works in employee healthcare for Kirklees Council and ensures that colleagues hear the Cancer SMART message.
Mariam
Mariam was diagnosed with breast cancer and works for Kirklees Wellness Service as a Health Coach. Mariam has run several Cancer SMART information stands and also talks about the benefits of staying healthy.
Julie
Julie from Calderdale, works for Pennine Breast Screening Services, so often wears two hats when she attends events, promoting both her own service and Cancer SMART. She is passionate about ensuring that everyone regularly checks their breast and chests and are aware of what is normal for them.
Carol
Carol from Bradford, lost her daughter to cervical cancer and works with people who have learning disabilities. Carol promotes Cancer SMART to parents and children with learning disabilities and also raises awareness of HPV (human papillomavirus) which can cause cancers including cervical cancer.
The HPV vaccine which protects against HPV, is offered to all children aged 11- 13 in the UK, and it’s offered to some people in older age groups too. People who missed their HPV vaccination can get the vaccine for free up to their 25th birthday.
Louise
Louise from Leeds, is a Yorkshire Cancer Community trustee, and also volunteers for Cancer SMART. She was a carer for her Mum, who had a cancer diagnosis. Louise helps to promote Cancer SMART in her workplace and also took minutes at Champion and Board meetings before we employed our administrator, Clare.
Bob
Bob from Pontefract, is a Community Artist, who was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and helps to run a weekly support group in Wakefield. Bob has helped at various stalls in the Pontefract and Castleford area and regularly attends our online support group.
Bev
Bev, based in Leeds, volunteers as a Cancer Champion as she would like to spread cancer awareness to all, especially communities like hers where cancer plays a huge part. She would like to encourage more people to take up their offer of screening as we know the sooner the diagnosis the more chance of a successful outcome.
Lauren
Lauren, “After successfully finishing my AP Mammography training and completing a range of clinical placements across the breast cancer pathway, such as chemotherapy, CT planning and radiotherapy, I returned to my hometown in Yorkshire, and made the important decision to become a Cancer Champion in order to broaden my skill set in cancer awareness and advocacy.
It is really important to me to feel that I am helping to address cancer health inequalities in local communities and improving access to a range of holistic cancer support.”
Lauren is now employed by YCC as our Community Panel Coordinator.
Gordon
Gordon retired from fulltime work 13 years ago when he was 65 years old. Four years later he moved to a new medical centre where it was normal practice to have a health MOT. The practice nurse invited him to have a PSA test to check him out for prostate cancer – despite there being no symptoms of this being a problem. The results came back positive, and ultimately this led to surgical removal of the prostate gland.
Several years later he’s grateful to be cancer-free, and glad to have the opportunity to urge other people to take cancer screening opportunities, and not delay in seeking medical help with health problems that could be signs of cancer.
Paul
Paul had to retire early in 2010 from a Banking career following treatment for head and neck cancer in 2006. Ever since his focus has been on working with support groups, charities and the NHS to improve cancer care and support for patients and carers.
He was a founding member of the YCC and Treasurer/Trustee until 2024.
In between hospital appointments and trips away in his lovely motorhome he sits on the Alliance Community Panel, chairs the Mid York’s Cancer Patient Partnership Group and is a lay member of both the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance board and Mid York’s Cancer Board. He also supports Macmillan as a Cancer Voice and has previously been a patient advisor for NHS England.
David
David is in his 70’s, married and happily retired.
He was diagnosed with kidney cancer in September 2020 on both kidneys. One has now been removed and the other has been treated. He says he received excellent care and is now trying to repay the support. He finds volunteering to be very rewarding.
Phil
Phil is a volunteer with Yorkshire Cancer Community
His interests include raising awareness about cancer within black and diverse communities across
West Yorkshire
He is also a Menopause Champion for Kam’s Corner CIC and Talk Menopause, and is currently
Chair of the Board of Trustees of KMJ Foundation and a Director of Kam’s Corner CIC
Phil says that he enjoys volunteering for Yorkshire Cancer Community as it gives him an opportunity to use his skills to contribute to the charity in driving growth and increasing their impact.