Poet Laureate pens new poem inspired by cancer experiences in Yorkshire

Poet Laureate pens new poem inspired by cancer experiences in Yorkshire content

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage has penned a new poem for World Cancer Day (on 4 February 2026), inspired by the experiences of people affected by cancer in Yorkshire and the vital contributions of researchers and charity supporters seeking to find and fund cures.

Commissioned by Yorkshire Cancer Research, the poem, entitled “The Campaign”, pays tribute to a century of progress in cancer prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, while highlighting the work still needed to create a future free from cancer – in Yorkshire and beyond.

Simon Armitage and supporters gather to launch 'The Campaign'

The Yorkshire-born poet Simon Armitage was initially inspired by a defining moment in the charity’s history: its first public fundraising appeal 100 years ago. In January 1926, at the Queen’s Hotel in Leeds, the charity’s first Honorary Secretary, Sir Harold Mackintosh, issued a rallying call across Yorkshire to “deliver the attack upon cancer, the great enemy of mankind, and become the new Saint George in the work of slaying the dragon.”

These words sparked an extraordinary wave of generosity, raising £140,000 (equivalent to more than £7 million today) for cancer research in Yorkshire and laying the foundation for a century of saving lives in the region and beyond.

Talking about how this historic moment motivated the poem, Poet Laureate Simon Armitage said: “Using metaphorical rather than scientific language, Mackintosh described cancer as the great enemy of mankind and that we must do the work of Saint George and slay the dragon. Saint George has always been a figure to rally around, not just in this country, but around the world.”

He continued: “I ran with the idea of cancer as an ‘enemy’ that must be tackled through ingenuity, decades of research and painstaking discovery. Cancer is also a dragon in the mind, demanding a certain bloody-mindedness - a true Yorkshire characteristic – to overcome this shadow and threat to our daily lives.”

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage stands in front of large printouts of his poem, "The Campaign"

100 years on since the charity’s first fundraising appeal, Simon Armitage is adding his voice to Yorkshire’s cancer mission, acknowledging the life-saving breakthroughs already made possible by people in Yorkshire, while looking ahead to the challenges that remain in “slaying the dragon” of cancer.

The poem was shared for the first time at the University of Leeds, where Simon is Professor of Poetry and where Yorkshire Cancer Research has funded pioneering cancer breakthroughs for a century.

Quote from Simon Armitage

The poem highlights the tenacity and resilience of researchers and supporters who have driven pioneering treatments and breakthroughs over many decades. I wanted to convey a shared determination to keep moving forward while confronting the fact that Yorkshire is disproportionally impacted by cancer."

Poet Laureate

Simon said: "I was born in a small village called Marsden in West Yorkshire. If you broke me in half, you’d see a white rose all the way through.”

Every 17 minutes, someone in Yorkshire is told they have cancer. Before writing the poem, Simon Armitage visited the Yorkshire Cancer Research Centre in Harrogate to hear from 17 voices from across Yorkshire - researchers pioneering new discoveries, fundraisers dedicated to saving lives, families who have sadly lost loved ones, and those living with cancer.

Explore the 17 voices

Reflecting on his experience meeting people affected by cancer across Yorkshire, Simon said: “It was saddening to hear experiences of illness and bereavement, including children whose parents were ill, parents who had lost children and people affected by different types of the disease. I felt very moved by their experiences.

Quote from Simon Armitage

It was also a privilege to listen to testimonies of determination, resilience and hope, and to learn about how Yorkshire Cancer Research has given people a positive focus in their lives, especially through forming friendships and bonds with others in the same situation. There was also humour in the room, dark and ironic humour at times, but humour nonetheless, and accounts of recoveries and good health that had followed illness.
To put it in poetic terms, it was inspiring, moving and informative. I learned a great deal.”

Poet Laureate

A group of people sit in a large circle in discussion

Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, sits with a group of people to discuss their experiences

As Yorkshire’s cancer charity, Yorkshire Cancer Research funds £75 million of pioneering research and services, including 26 clinical trials, to find new and better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer in Yorkshire. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer - in Yorkshire, and beyond.

Quote from Simon Armitage

Yorkshire Cancer Research might be regionally based but it punches well above its weight. It has contributed huge breakthroughs in cancer treatment and research, both nationally and internationally. Yorkshire is a huge county and has a large number of people who are diagnosed with cancer every year, and it’s inspiring to see the charity’s commitment to change that."

Poet Laureate

"For over a century, the charity has worked tirelessly to improve the health of people across Yorkshire and in doing so, has contributed to progress that benefits lives far beyond the region. Yet there is still much to do, with Yorkshire facing significant inequalities in cancer outcomes. None of this progress can happen without funding.”

Dr Kathryn Scott, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research said: “It was a privilege to welcome Poet Laureate Simon Armitage to the Yorkshire Cancer Research Centre and introduce him to some of the people driving and inspiring vital progress in cancer research in our region and beyond. Simon’s words capture the spirit of Yorkshire – its resilience, generosity and determination – and gives voice to a century of breakthroughs driven by people in our region, whose efforts have saved countless lives around the world.

"As we look to the future, the poem serves as a powerful reminder of why the charity began this mission and why we must keep moving forward to bring more cancer cures to Yorkshire. By working closely with cancer experts and communities across the region, the charity can build a future where fewer lives are lost to cancer, and more people can share precious moments with their loved ones. Together, we will continue to make great progress toward a Yorkshire free from cancer.”