We are delighted to introduce you to the new Chairman of Friends of the Cancer Centre, Brian Cave.

Brian took up the position of Chair earlier this year, having previously served as a Trustee for five years. In this time, Brian has been a vital asset to the charity, bringing with him many years of expertise in risk management. Brian is now taking on a new role and along with our other volunteer board members, is working to ensure that the money you donate is put to the best possible use to support families impacted by cancer.

Commenting on why the charity is a cause close to his heart, Brian said:

“I am really delighted and honoured to be Chair of Friends of the Cancer Centre. Like so many people reading this, I have a very personal connection to the charity. I lost my wife, Ruth, to bladder cancer in 2016 and during her treatment at the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, we became one of the many families benefitting from the charity’s vital work.

“Nobody really wants to walk through the doors of the Cancer Centre and I expected it to be quite a sad place. In reality, it was warm, friendly and full of smiling faces which immediately put us at ease at a really worrying time. During our time at the hospital, we were struck by the sea of yellow which you see throughout the hospital, which highlighted the amazing ways in which Friends of the Cancer Centre was supporting us and many others.

“After Ruth passed away, I contacted the charity to see if there was an opportunity to get involved and perhaps share some of my professional experience working in risk management. I was then delighted to become a board member and today, I am really honoured to be Chair of a charity that has become an integral part of cancer services locally.

“I would like to pass on my very best to the charity’s previous Chair, Geoff Hill, who has left very big shoes to fill. I would also like to give my heartfelt thanks to everyone who supports the charity. Recent years have been the most challenging for the charity, with COVID-19 impacting on all aspects of our work. However, it did not derail us and throughout it all I’m really proud that the charity was able to continue its vital work. The impact of the pandemic has now set in motion a new challenge in the form of the cost of living crisis, which will undoubtedly bring more obstacles for the charity. However, I know that with your continued friendship we will be able to carry on with our work and be here for families when they need it most.”