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Friends of the cancer centre logo

Who we are

Friends of the Cancer Centre has a long and proud history of helping local cancer patients across Northern Ireland for over 35 years.​

Based at the heart of the Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital, the charity funds life-saving and life-changing projects that make a real and lasting difference to the lives of thousands of local people affected by cancer and in the last year alone, Friends of the Cancer Centre has put over £1.1 million back into local cancer services. 

Follow our story below and see just some of the ways that we have been making a difference for over three decades.

Established 1985
Friends of Montgomery House was established when cancer services were based at the old Belvoir Park Hospital in South Belfast. Over the next 20 years, the charity would go on to fund major projects, including the purchase of an MRI scanner.
2007 - Moving to City Hospital
Cancer services transferred to the new Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital. The move marked a new chapter for the charity, which also moved to its new home and changed its name to Friends of the Cancer Centre.
2008 - Our first event
The charity's first event as Friends of the Cancer Centre was an abseil off Belfast’s Europa Hotel, launching the charity’s new name and vision for the future.
2009 - Glenview House gets a makeover
First major project at the new hospital site with the £150,000 refurbishment of the on-site patient hotel run an operated by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Glenview House, which is used by nearly 2,000 people every year
2010 - Introducing our first complementary therapist
Charity funds its first complementary therapist, who is specially trained to offer cancer patients free treatments such as massage, aromatherapy and reflexology. Over recent years this service has grown, with over 1,500 people benefitting each year.
2011 - Our very first specialist cancer nurse
We fund our first specialist cancer nurse, Elaine Shaw. Elaine, who is our Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, is still supported by the charity today.
2012 - Exercise and relaxation
Special relaxation and exercise classes are funded by the charity for the first time, giving patients free access to yoga, Pilates and tai chi classes. These classes are still funded by us today.
2013 - £ 1,000,000 invested into local cancer research
In 2013 we invest £1 million into local cancer research through a unique partnership with the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research at Queen’s University, Belfast
2014 - Supporting young people
We fund Renée Reid who is a Clinical Nurse Specialist for Teenagers and Young Adults. For many young people, a cancer diagnosis can be a worrying and confusing time, but Renée is on hand to provide a listening ear, information, and guidance for these young people.
2015 - 30 years of Friends of the Cancer Centre
2015 marked Friends of the Cancer Centre’s 30th anniversary and three decades of supporting local cancer patients through our life-saving and life-changing work.
2016 - 10 years of the Cancer Centre
2016 marked the 10th anniversary of the Cancer Centre, which opened its doors to patients back in 2006. Over the last decade Friends of the Cancer Centre has put over £5.5 million back into the hospital supporting staff and patients through the work that we do.
2017 - 31 vital members of our funded staff team
2017 was a landmark year for the charity as we funded a total of 31 additional members of staff. Our Urology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Shelley Mooney (pictured) was one of the latest additions to the team.
2018 - Making a difference
The charity’s work continues to make a real difference to local people. This year our nurses provided 800 hours of additional care to patients and families; we provided 25,000 cups of free tea and coffee for patients as they wait on appointments; our financial grants supported over 200 people and much, much more.
2019 - 35 staff & counting
In 2019 the charity marked a new milestone by proudly funding 35 additional members of staff, the most the charity has ever funded. Our staff, some of them pictured here, include doctors, specialist nurses, research staff and many more.
2020 - 35th anniversary of the charity
Over the last three decades, the charity has grown from a small organistaion run by dedicated volunteers, to a professional organisation investing over £1 million into local cancer services each year. This is thanks to your support.
2021 - Northern Ireland's first and only Secondary Breast Cancer Nurse
We welcome Gemma potter to our team of funded staff as Northern Ireland's only Secondary Breast Cancer Nurse. She provides tailored care for people affected by metastatic breast cancer
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2023 - Raising a cuppa to the North West
The charity opens a new tea and coffee dock for patients attending the North West Cancer Centre at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry/Londonderry for treatment.
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helped by our financial grants & more

Our Promise

We know that every penny you raise tells a story and represents something, or someone, very special. That is why we promise that every penny donated to Friends of the Cancer Centre will be put to the best possible use.

Thank you for being such an incredible friend to the charity and together, we are making a real difference.

Discover more about us...

Our Board

Our board of trustees plays a vital role within the charity as they decide how to spend your money and which projects the charity funds.
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Our Team

The team at Friends of the Cancer Centre are passionate about the charity and the difference it makes to the lives of people locally.​
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Our Volunteers

The work carried out by Friends of the Cancer Centre simply wouldn’t be possible without our volunteers.
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Get in touch

 N.I Cancer Centre, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AB
  028 9069 9393
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© Copyright 2023.

All Rights Reserved by Friends of the Cancer Centre.

Friends of the Cancer Centre is a registered company limited by guarantee in Northern Ireland. Company number NI616925. Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC101345.

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