Force Cancer Charity: Working locally to support anyone affected by cancer

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FORCE (Friends of the Oncology and Radiotherapy Centre, Exeter) was first registered as a charity in 1987 when two appeals (the Selectron Appeal and Home Oncology Programme Exeter) merged.

The HOPE programme came under the clinical direction of Dr Chris Rowland with Dr Graham Sewell directing the supporting scientific research. Through the success of the Selectron work (brachytherapy) and the HOPE programme, Exeter became firmly established on the national and international cancer research map.

In 1991 FORCE appointed a clinical research assistant, and it was this post which became the foundation for the highly successful clinical research programme at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital today.

FORCE grew steadily through the 1990s and the Trustees decided to extend the charity's remit to develop non-clinical support for cancer patients and their families.   In 1997 the Charity appointed its first Oncology Support Specialist. The following year a one day a week Support and Information Service began in the hospital and this pilot project confirmed the need to extend our support services and find a designated area/building.

In 1999 FORCE handed over the management of its research to the Institute of Clinical Sciences – now part of the Peninsula Medical School.

At the turn of the millennium FORCE raised over £500,000 for the first time and the following year an appeal was launched to build a purpose built cancer support and information centre for anyone affected by cancer.

After a 3 year appeal the Centre opened in September 2004 thanks to over £900,000 raised by local people and the tireless work of our fund-raising team.

In it's first year the Centre received over 9,000 visits - nearly double our orignal projection.  Today (2013) this has risen to 15,500 and the Centre was extended during 2012 to help manage future development. 

Thanks to a significant legacy, FORCE now has a designated fund to continue purchasing state of the art equipment to improve cancer treatment.  A grant of £70,000 from FORCE has recently purchased Delta 4 to facilitate IMRT (intensity modulated radiotherapy) at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust.

Despite many years of growth and change FORCE has never lost sight of it's origins and the fact that anyone diagnosed with cancer deserves the best possible support and treatment close to home.