History

Wallace Cancer Care was founded as the direct result of the work of Mary Wallace, a former nurse and cancer survivor, and a founder member of the Friends of Addenbrooke’s Committee.

When her cancer returned and she underwent further treatment, she brought to the attention of the committee the need to take an integrative approach to this illness, and also, the necessity of support for patients, and their family members.

She became a determined advocate for a dedicated non-clinical centre where patients and carers could relax, meet others in similar situations and access information and support on all aspects of the disease, including complementary treatments, exercise and nutrition support and help with the management of side-effects of treatments as well as ways to ease the emotional and psychological stresses on both the patient and those closest to them.

As Mary’s health failed Felicity Pugh, chair of The Friends and Pamela Raspe, her friend and fellow Committee member took up the challenge to realise her vision, and in May 2004 Mary Archer opened the centre in the concourse of Addenbrooke’s Hospital, which now functions as an Information Centre.

In September of the same year the centre in Red Cross Lane opened it’s doors, and has since received over 10,000 visits. In June 2010 Wallace Cancer Care received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for the excellence of the voluntary work done with cancer patients and their families.