We’re excited to be celebrating our 40th anniversary throughout 2020, and to mark the occasion we are taking a look back at all the amazing things that have happened over the last 40 years to bring us to where we are now.
Our story began in 1979 when our founder, Penny Brohn, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Penny, who grew up in Bristol, knew instinctively that she needed more than just care and treatment for her body. She recognised that she needed to care equally for her, “mind, spirit, emotions, heart and soul”. With her close friend Pat Pilkington, she set out to find what she was looking for.
“Care for the mind, spirit, emotions, heart and soul.”
– Penny Brohn, Founder of the Bristol Cancer Help Centre (now Penny Brohn UK)
What happened next?
Bristol Cancer Help Centre
Pat and her husband Christopher were already running a Healing Centre in Bristol and in 1980, together with Penny and a group of volunteers, opened their doors to cancer patients. Soon afterwards, with the arrival of the Centre’s first Medical..Read more
Gentle Giants
In 1986, Penny Brohn published her book, Gentle Giants, written about her experience of living with breast cancer. By the summer of 1986, the Centre had grown out of all proportion and was helping more people than they had ever..Read more
Medicine Reintegrated
In 1990, we held our ‘Medicine Reintegrated’ Conference to mark the tenth anniversary of the Centre. We fast became an authority on integrative approaches to cancer care, working alongside medical cancer specialists both in the UK and around the world...Read more
A beacon of light
Our 15th Anniversary Conference brought together researchers from around the world who presented scientific evidence validating our work. The Centre was mentioned in debates at the House of Parliament and described as a “beacon of light for cancer care”. Our..Read more
A new Patron
Prince Charles became Patron of the charity in 1997 after having officially opened the centre in Clifton in 1983. He has since worked on several important projects with the charity and continues to be an active Patron to this day.
Penny Brohn dies
Penny Brohn passed away on February 3 1999, having lived with cancer for 20 years. Even towards the end of her life she remained physically active, cycling with her family in France. Her legacy continues in the work that we..Read more
Pat is awarded an MBE
In 2003, Pat Pilkington was awarded an MBE in recognition of her work. In the same year, the charity also won a Healthcare and Medical Research award for its evaluation work in measuring the effectiveness of our approach.
Relocation and rebrand
In 2006, we moved to our current home, a grade ll-listed former isolation hospital set in four acres of beautifully-maintained gardens on the outskirts of Bristol. Following a huge redevelopment project and a year at the new building, the charity..Read more
Living Well programme launch
We launched our National Living Well programme at the House of Commons in 2012, running our first ever regional Living Well course. Following this, a research study carried out at the University of Westminster showed the difference that the Living..Read more
Celebrity Ambassadors
In 2014, actress Suranne Jones became our first Celebrity Ambassador. She attended a lunch hosted by Prince Charles at Clarence House. She was to be later joined in her Ambassador role by writer, producer and campaigner, Tara Arkle and talent..Read more
Healthy Eating Guidelines
In 2015, our healthy eating guidelines were re-published and subsequently recognised as a benchmark for healthcare professionals.
The Golden Thread
In April 2015, we hosted the launch of Pat Pilkington’s memoirs, “The Golden Thread”. You can buy a copy of her book at www.pennybrohn.org.uk/shop.
BBC Radio 4 Appeal
In 2015, Maureen Lipman and Mike Harris, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 31, ran a very successful BBC Radio 4 fundraising appeal.
Launching Jackie Collins’ Inspirational Woman Award
On September 19 2015, we were deeply saddened to hear that popular, acclaimed author Jackie Collins OBE passed away from breast cancer. Jackie had been diagnosed in 2009 and we understand and respect her choice to keep it a secret...Read more
Prince Charles visits our National Centre
On July 26 2016, HRH The Prince of Wales visited our National Centre and garden; meeting staff, volunteers and those who have been helped by the charity. Before leaving the centre, The Prince planted a tree to mark the visit,..Read more
Penny Brohn UK moves into BHOC
In 2017, we employed a Health Care Engagement and Community Development Lead to be based at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre. We are now able to speak with patients of BHOC, introducing and referring them to Penny Brohn services and..Read more
Because I need more than medicine
This campaign was launched at the beginning of 2018 to focus on the need for an integrative (whole person) approach to cancer care. The ‘Because I need more than medicine‘ strap line has since been used in the charity’s general..Read more
Stephen Rosser becomes Chair of Trustees
In May 2019, Penny Brohn UK announced the appointment of Stephen Rosser as its new Chair of the Board of Trustees after Francesca Barnes stepped down as Chair after 12 years in the role. The CEO of Clark Willmott LLP..Read more
Our 40th Year!
This year (2020) is our 40th anniversary year and what a year of events and celebrations we have for you. The celebrations have kicked off with our 40 Years campaign, which was launched in October 2019 in the lead up to..Read more