Yorkshire Voices

“Knowing I’m helping Yorkshire communities raise money to fund life-saving cancer research is why I come to work every day” – June’s experience

June standing in the Yorkshire Cancer Research donation centre, surrounded by donated goods.

June has worked at Yorkshire Cancer Research for 34 years. Since joining the charity as an ‘Office Junior’ in May 1991, her role has evolved along with the charity.…

"Yorkshire Cancer Research gives me hope that my son's generation will be closer to a cancer-free future" - Vallentyne's experience

Vallentyne standing alongside his son, Christian

For Vallentyne Mazorodze, volunteering isn’t just about giving back – it’s about passing something forward. After moving to Leeds from South Africa with his family…

"Being active is such an important part of recovering from cancer" - Pete's experience

Pete Skinner completing his exercises in the Active Together studio

79-year-old Pete Skinner from Knaresborough has enjoyed sports throughout his life. He practised judo competitively for over 30 years, representing Team Great…

“Knowing I’ve played a part in giving people more moments to enjoy is a very special feeling.” – Suzanne Rogerson’s experience

Suzanne is standing in front of an ornate panelled wall and large fireplace. She is wearing an orange patterned blouse and smiling at the camera.

For Suzanne Rogerson, Leeds will always be her home. It is where she was born, qualified as a nurse and raised her two daughters. It is also where she has helped…

“After my cancer treatment, walking helped me process my feelings whilst staying connected to my business”– Alison’s experience

Alison and Fran in blue We Walk for Yorkshire t-shirts sat on a log in a sunny landscape near a river.

Leeds business leader Alison Sarmiento is passionate about walking at work, having introduced regular ‘walk and talk’ meetings to support wellbeing and creativity…

“I’m walking to be a beacon of change for other young people with cancer” - Fred’s experience

Fred Giles sitting on a bench with his dog Hector

Yorkshire Cancer Research’s 'We Walk for Yorkshire' challenge officially launches today on 1 May.People across Yorkshire are strapping on their walking boots and…

“Thanks to Yorkshire Cancer Research funding, we have changed the face of bowel cancer surgery in Yorkshire, and beyond” – Professor Philip Quirke’s experience

Professor Philip Quirke in a suit in front of a wooden background.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is celebrating the remarkable achievements of Professor Philip Quirke. A globally renowned bowel cancer researcher from the University of…

"Every day is truly a gift to me, and I do everything I can to help other people with cancer facing the same situation" - Sara's experience

2025 marks a significant year for Sara Williamson: it is 10 years since she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In December 2015, the then 46-year-old from Wakefield…

“My son is living proof that cancer research saves lives” – Jonathan’s experience

Jonathan and James in front of the old Volvo decorated as a bamboo beach bar holding a Yorkshire Cancer Research sign.

In 2013, Jonathan King from Knaresborough drove 3,500 miles across Europe in the name of life-saving cancer research in Yorkshire.Jonathan and his three friends –…

“Yorkshire Cancer Research was one of the first cancer charities to grasp the nettle of treating prostate cancer” – Professor Norman Maitland’s experience

Professor Maitland is holding a scan and showing a group of people all wearing white lab coats.

To mark Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Yorkshire Cancer Research looks back at the work of Professor Norman Maitland FRSB, a pioneering researcher from the…

"Early diagnosis saved both of our lives" - Kevin and Lynne Crowley's cancer experiences

Kevin and Lynne in their garden looking at each other, green countryside in the background

Kevin and Lynne Crowley are happily retired in Halifax, thanks to both of their cancers being diagnosed early. The couple, who have been married for nearly 39…

“Coming to Active Together has helped me get ‘me’ back.”

Lisa wearing a blue Active Together t-shirt running in a woodland area smiling at the camera

When Lisa Sumpton laces up her trainers on the morning of this year’s London Marathon, she won’t be thinking about achieving a personal best or finishing in a…

“To imagine Yorkshire may one day be free from cancer makes it worthwhile for all of us” - Marjorie’s experience

Marjorie Hodgson sits on a wooden bench next to a canal. She is wearing a blue windbreaker and holding a walking stick.

89-year-old Marjorie Hodgson is the longest-serving Yorkshire Cancer Research volunteer. Since its foundation in 1968, Marjorie has been a member of the Bingley…

“Successfully stopping smoking has given me a real boost of self-confidence and opened up a lot of doors” - Rob’s experience

Tori holding up a stop smoking aid for her client

Rob Oakley, a self-employed 35-year-old from Northallerton, had smoked since he was 12. Passionate about musical theatre, he knew quitting would improve his singing…

"By fundraising for Yorkshire Cancer Research, we hope to give families in Yorkshire more time together” - Wendy and Boyd’s experience

Lifelong partners for 47 years and counting, Wendy and Boyd Midgley have been fundraising for Yorkshire Cancer Research since 2016, raising £41,000 to support…

“I feel so lucky to have taken part in a screening trial that may have saved my life.” – Jenifer’s kidney cancer experience

Jenifer Perin from Otley didn’t expect to be diagnosed with kidney cancer when she turned up to her combined lung and kidney screening appointment in September…

“People who participate in cancer research play a vital role in helping to reduce cancer inequalities.” - Dr Olufikayo’s experience

Olufikayo Bamidele sits on a chair with her hands crossed resting on the arm rest. She is wearing glasses and a bright purple and pink shirt under a blazer

With a background in Microbiology, and after several years of working in the health, education and banking sectors, Dr Olufikayo Bamidele came to the UK from…

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List ofYorkshire Voices

“Knowing I’m helping Yorkshire communities raise money to fund life-saving cancer research is why I come to work every day” – June’s experience

"Yorkshire Cancer Research gives me hope that my son's generation will be closer to a cancer-free future" - Vallentyne's experience

"Being active is such an important part of recovering from cancer" - Pete's experience

“Knowing I’ve played a part in giving people more moments to enjoy is a very special feeling.” – Suzanne Rogerson’s experience

“After my cancer treatment, walking helped me process my feelings whilst staying connected to my business”– Alison’s experience

“I’m walking to be a beacon of change for other young people with cancer” - Fred’s experience

“Thanks to Yorkshire Cancer Research funding, we have changed the face of bowel cancer surgery in Yorkshire, and beyond” – Professor Philip Quirke’s experience

"Every day is truly a gift to me, and I do everything I can to help other people with cancer facing the same situation" - Sara's experience

“My son is living proof that cancer research saves lives” – Jonathan’s experience

“Yorkshire Cancer Research was one of the first cancer charities to grasp the nettle of treating prostate cancer” – Professor Norman Maitland’s experience

"Early diagnosis saved both of our lives" - Kevin and Lynne Crowley's cancer experiences

“Coming to Active Together has helped me get ‘me’ back.”

“To imagine Yorkshire may one day be free from cancer makes it worthwhile for all of us” - Marjorie’s experience

“Successfully stopping smoking has given me a real boost of self-confidence and opened up a lot of doors” - Rob’s experience

"By fundraising for Yorkshire Cancer Research, we hope to give families in Yorkshire more time together” - Wendy and Boyd’s experience

“I feel so lucky to have taken part in a screening trial that may have saved my life.” – Jenifer’s kidney cancer experience

“People who participate in cancer research play a vital role in helping to reduce cancer inequalities.” - Dr Olufikayo’s experience

“By participating in clinical trials, you are helping people with cancer who come after you” – Bill’s experience

“If I’d had access to screening, I might not now be looking at an incurable cancer diagnosis.”

“If I hadn’t paid for a private health check, I’d never have known I had prostate cancer.”

“Prostate screening is pivotal. Without it, a lot of guys are going to be stuffed.”

“Thanks to my cancer screening, I was there for my granddaughter’s first day of school” - David’s experience

“By doing regular body checks, you considerably increase the chances of finding cancer early” – Jackie's experience

“Combining lung health checks with stop smoking support is so important” Sue’s experience

Filter by:

List ofYorkshire Voices

“Knowing I’m helping Yorkshire communities raise money to fund life-saving cancer research is why I come to work every day” – June’s experience

"Yorkshire Cancer Research gives me hope that my son's generation will be closer to a cancer-free future" - Vallentyne's experience

"Being active is such an important part of recovering from cancer" - Pete's experience

“Knowing I’ve played a part in giving people more moments to enjoy is a very special feeling.” – Suzanne Rogerson’s experience

“After my cancer treatment, walking helped me process my feelings whilst staying connected to my business”– Alison’s experience

“I’m walking to be a beacon of change for other young people with cancer” - Fred’s experience

“Thanks to Yorkshire Cancer Research funding, we have changed the face of bowel cancer surgery in Yorkshire, and beyond” – Professor Philip Quirke’s experience

"Every day is truly a gift to me, and I do everything I can to help other people with cancer facing the same situation" - Sara's experience

“My son is living proof that cancer research saves lives” – Jonathan’s experience

“Yorkshire Cancer Research was one of the first cancer charities to grasp the nettle of treating prostate cancer” – Professor Norman Maitland’s experience

"Early diagnosis saved both of our lives" - Kevin and Lynne Crowley's cancer experiences

“Coming to Active Together has helped me get ‘me’ back.”

“To imagine Yorkshire may one day be free from cancer makes it worthwhile for all of us” - Marjorie’s experience

“Successfully stopping smoking has given me a real boost of self-confidence and opened up a lot of doors” - Rob’s experience

"By fundraising for Yorkshire Cancer Research, we hope to give families in Yorkshire more time together” - Wendy and Boyd’s experience

“I feel so lucky to have taken part in a screening trial that may have saved my life.” – Jenifer’s kidney cancer experience

“People who participate in cancer research play a vital role in helping to reduce cancer inequalities.” - Dr Olufikayo’s experience

“By participating in clinical trials, you are helping people with cancer who come after you” – Bill’s experience

“If I’d had access to screening, I might not now be looking at an incurable cancer diagnosis.”

“If I hadn’t paid for a private health check, I’d never have known I had prostate cancer.”

“Prostate screening is pivotal. Without it, a lot of guys are going to be stuffed.”

“Thanks to my cancer screening, I was there for my granddaughter’s first day of school” - David’s experience

“By doing regular body checks, you considerably increase the chances of finding cancer early” – Jackie's experience

“Combining lung health checks with stop smoking support is so important” Sue’s experience

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“Coming to Active Together has helped me get ‘me’ back.”