The Cancer Campaign in Suffolk is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a new name and a renewed commitment to improving the lives of those living with the condition in the county.
From now it will be known as Cancer Support Suffolk - and it hopes to increase the services it is able to operate around the county.
Former BBC Suffolk presenter Mark Murphy took over as chief executive of the charity at the end of last year and has been working hard to increase its profile.
The charity was founded in the late 1990s by Ipswich Hospital oncologist Dr John Le Vay and local solicitor Jonathan Ripman.
Tragically Dr Le Vay died at just 51 in 2008 from the disease he had done so much to treat.
The first aim of the charity was to provide a cancer information centre at Ipswich Hospital for patients and their families and friends.
That opened in 2004 at the MacMillan Woolverstone Centre at the hospital - and after Dr Le Vay's death was renamed to remember him.
Since then the charity has expanded its services and now has a centre in the heart of Ipswich near Christchurch Park which offers complementary therapies as well as advice.
Mr Murphy told guests at the relaunch that he hoped to expand its services - offering them to more people.
He said: “Our new name and look better describes what we do today as a charity.
"The old name has served us well over the past 25 years and this new look is exciting but it's an emotional change too, as we’ve touched the lives of so many local families over the past 25 years.
"When I joined the charity in September last year, I vowed to raise our profile and to make even more people here in Suffolk aware of the support we can offer, helping them through their cancer journey.
Mr Ripman said: “It’s never been anything but tough, very tough, in the charity sector, throughout our 25 years.
"It’s been difficult but, sticking to the basic principles we have made it though with dedicated teamwork, massive community support and lots of friends in business."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel