Who's who
Board of Trustees
Here, Dimbleby Cancer Care's Trustees explain in their own words why they are involved:
David Dimbleby - Chair of the Trustees
“It is now over forty years since we established what has become Dimbleby Cancer Care. Our main aim is to look after the growing number of people who live with cancer. As treatments improve, more and more people live longer with cancer and face a range of practical and psychological difficulties.
We want to support them by offering practical help. We have also initiated a major research initiative which funds research into how best to support those with cancer. This is of growing significance because the needs of these cancer sufferers must be analysed and the best ways of meeting their needs carefully researched.
Until now we have used only the financial resources given, without any great fundraising effort, by donors. To expand our work we are now seeking support from those who share our aims.”
Jonathan Dimbleby - Trustee
“Almost all of us have loved ones who find themselves living with cancer. Treatments are improving. More patients survive for longer. But the support and care for those who are living with cancer lags far behind the need.
I am passionate about Dimbleby Cancer Care because I know we can make a real difference. By providing practical help at crucial times - like a soft pillow or a comforting massage or psychological support - and by funding vital research programmes to establish the best way of offering the best care, Dimbleby Cancer Care is already in the frontline. But we want to do far more.
Like the rest of the family trustees and the specialists who guide and advise us, I know that we can help transform the provision of cancer care in Britain. But we can only do it if we can secure the funds for this work which is so urgently needed. It will take sustained commitment but I know it can be done. And, with everyone else involved in our 40th anniversary year, I intend to help make it happen.”
Nicholas Dimbleby - Trustee
“A few weeks ago I was being escorted round our new 10th-floor treatment rooms at Guy's Hospital when I was shown into a room where an elderly lady was having aromatherapy treatment. She told me her prognosis had not been good but, having initially been fearful of any further intervention, she had nervously agreed to a little t-l-c from our staff.
'I feel so much better,’ she said, taking my hand. 'Thank you for all you have done.’
'It's not me,’ I protested. 'There are so many people involved'.’
'Ooh! I could give them all a great hug and a kiss,' she replied.
'Well then, on this occasion, you could start with me.' I answered.
This is one example of how giving to Dimbleby Cancer Care translates into helping an old lady overcome her pain and isolation, and makes our work as trustees so rewarding.”
Sally Christensen - Trustee
“As long as legacies and donations continue to come in from people who loved and respected my father, and from those who want to see the work that my father inspired continue, as a Trustee I shall do my utmost to ensure that these funds are used to a maximum to provide comfort and support to cancer patients and their carers.”
Henry Dimbleby - Trustee
“The need for more money to be spent on cancer care took me by surprise and the fact that the services offered to support people were so patchy across the country seems so unfair. Dimbleby Cancer Care has the rare ability of a small focused charity to be able to invest money directly at the point of need without wasteful bureaucracy or needless delay and I am determined that we will help thousands more people living with cancer in the years to come.”
Joe Dimbleby - Trustee
“Becoming a trustee of DCC was a wonderful opportunity both to honour my grandfather, in whose memory the fund was started, and to work for a charity that enhances the quality of life of those suffering from cancer.
I am one of three trustees of the next generation and I think that it’s important to have the younger perspective we bring to the board, as cancer affects all age groups.
Because most trustees are family members, we are always in contact regardless of whether we have a meeting coming up. This means that we are quicker at decision making and is one of the reasons why a small charities are effective. DCC’s work is vital as there is little funding for research and the side of cancer treatment which improves the day-to-day lives of those living with the disease. Dimbleby Cancer care was started to fill this gap and we have 40 years of experience in delivering it. But there is much more still to be done.”
Kitty Dimbleby - Trustee
“Cancer effects all of us - young and old - and I feel honoured to be part of a something that tries to help - both by funding research and by trying to make the lives of those living with cancer easier.
DCC recognises that you have to treat the patient as a whole - and that palliative care can be as important as medical treatment when you are facing cancer.
When people hear the Dimbleby name they think of media legacy. Despite being a journalist myself I feel that far more important is the legacy of DCC. In the memory of my grandfather we work together as a family to try and make a difference, no matter how small, to people fighting this awful disease.”
Gavyn Davies - Trustee
“There have been important advances in cancer treatment in the past decade, but these have not been matched by improvements in cancer care services. Dimbleby Cancer Care has been working in this field for forty years, and now provides considerable resources for first class research into how best to care for people suffering or recovering from cancer, as well as ways of supporting their families and carers. The Dimbleby family, like many others, has been touched by cancer, and I greatly admire their determination to make a difference for others affected by the disease. Joining the Board enables me to help them in this important work.”
Baroness Julia Neuberger - Trustee
“Cancer patients still suffer too much from mixed messages and a mixed quality of care: for instance, wonderful medical care but appalling and embarrassing waiting areas; or brilliant nursing care but no follow through with any kind of psychosocial support. One reason I am so pleased to have been asked to be a new Trustee is that I believe that Dimbleby Cancer Care takes a holistic approach, and will look for the gaps, and try to fill them, rather than always looking for something new. That's exactly what patients and their friends and families need.”
Ex officio
Steve Barclay - Chair of the Governance Committee
“Dimbleby Cancer Care focuses on helping people in a very practical way, and for me that was a key reason to get involved. The original aim – that every patient should have a more comfortable pillow – is carried forward into projects that help care for patients and carers on an everyday level. There are also a wide range of volunteers who help, such as the Advisory Board who ensure that research grants are professionally assessed, and this ensures that high standards are maintained without additional costs.”
Helen Scott Lidgett - Chair of the Communications Committee
“I was particularly inspired to hear about the work of Dimbleby Cancer Care when I became aware of its unique offer to support people living with cancer and to support those who had been recently diagnosed.
Dimbleby Cancer Care is rare amongst cancer charities, supporting the psychological wellbeing of people who are in remission and fearful of the future. The charity's straightforward approach in addressing tough taboo issues such as when and how people die is particularly important.
Dimbleby Cancer Care has remarkable generosity of spirit in the way it has quietly supported other initiatives and kept itself below the radar, unlike a lot of other charities that take a more proactive stance.”
Researching areas others don't
Only around 5% of cancer research spending in the UK is on care.
DCC provides up to £1m annually for research into cancer care & support.
Care centres that go beyond medical treatment
Over a quarter of people living with cancer receive no support other than treatment.
DCC's centres provide a range of care, comfort & support that goes beyond just treatment
Dimbleby Cancer Care has a small number of staff, therefore our ability to answer detailed questions on cancer care, symptoms or treatments is limited. However we are pleased to try and help you, by directing you to others who may be able to help.