About FORCE

FORCE (Friends of the Oncology and Radiotherapy Centre) was first registered as a charity in 1987 when two appeals (the Selectron Appeal and Home Oncology Programme Exeter) merged.

The HOPE programme came under the clinical direction of Dr Chris Rowland with Dr Graham Sewell directing the supporting scientific research. Through the success of the Selectron work and the HOPE programme, Exeter became firmly established on the national and international cancer research map.

In 1991 FORCE appointed a clinical research assistant, Claire Ridler and it was this post which provided the foundation for the highly successful clinical research programme at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital today.

Through the 1990’s FORCE grew steadily and in the mid ‘90s the Trustees decided to extend the work of FORCE to develop some support for families and their carers. 1997 the Charity appointed its first Oncology Support Specialist, Jenny Day. The following year a one day a week Support and Information Service began in the hospital and it was this pilot project that confirmed the need to extend support services within a designated area/building.

In 1999 FORCE handed over the management of its research to the Institute of Clinical Sciences – now part of the Peninsula Medical School.

At the turn of the millennium FORCE raised over £500,000 for the first time and the following year an appeal was launched to build a purpose built cancer support and information centre for anyone affected by cancer.

After a 3 year appeal the Centre opened in September 2004 thanks to over £900,000 raised by local people and the tireless work of our fund-raising team.