Dr Dave Hobin – Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Birmingham Children’s Hospital – has been appointed the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust’s new Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Dave has been involved with the Trust since 2007 after first discovering the charity at the London Boat Show a year before. A keen sailor, he got young people from the Midlands involved as the Trust evolved as a national charity.
He could use his skills as a medic and sailor to accompany young people from Birmingham Children’s Hospital to go sailing with the Trust and has volunteered ever since. He also took on responsibilities as the Trust’s medical advisor before becoming a Trustee in 2012.
Dave said:
“I feel hugely privileged to have the opportunity to work with a great organisation and a great team, as the Trust has gone from strength to strength over the past decade.
“Increasing numbers of young people from across the UK have benefitted from Trust support. This has included expanding the Trust’s activities to include the over 18 teenage and young adult cancer population, often seen as ‘the forgotten tribe’, and introducing activities like canal boating for young people who need more or a different support.”
Cancer treatment can have a significant impact on a young person’s mental, emotional, physical and/or social wellbeing. For many young people, picking up where they left off before their diagnosis isn’t possible. So, when treatment ends, the Trust’s work begins.
Dave has seen the impact that spending time in a safe, supportive environment with others who have been through similar can have in helping young people take the next steps towards re-establishing their place in the world.
He highlighted a frank discussion on fertility and sperm banking on his trip this summer as an example of how young people feel comfortable being open and honest about the things that really matter to them.
Looking ahead, he added:
“Keeping young people at the centre of all we do is key. I’d like us to continue to grow, while acknowledging this will be challenging in the context of the pandemic and the economic landscape, to see us reach more young people and be fully representative of and accessible to all young people who have a cancer diagnosis in the UK.”
Frank Fletcher, Trust CEO, said:
“Being an integral part of the Trust for so long, both as a Trustee and as our medical advisor, Dave is a natural successor as Chair and his election underlines our commitment to putting young people at the heart of everything we do. I’m looking forward to working together as we keep striving towards our ambition to inspire every young person living through and beyond cancer to believe in a brighter future.”
Dr Dave, who many young people will know from their sailing trips, succeeds Richard Butcher, who has retired as a Trustee after holding the position of Chair for the past four years. Richard was originally appointed as the Trustee with legal skills in 2004.
If you, or someone you know, could benefit from Trust support, or you want to make a difference to young lives after cancer, please visit: ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org.
