Formed in June 1996 by former testicular cancer patient, Colin Osborne, The Orchid Cancer Appeal was the first registered charity dedicated to fund research into diagnosis, prevention and treatment of testicular, prostate and penile cancer and to increase public awareness of these previously neglected diseases.

 

Thanks mainly to the energy and commitment of the two men who got Orchid on its feet, Colin Osborne and Professor Tim Oliver, the charity achieved its initial goal of securing funding to establish the Men's Cancer Unit's research programme at Barts and The London Hospitals. At the same time, it instigated its campaign of awareness by producing leaflets and a hugely popular video to convey the important messages. The plan now is to complement the research and awareness work by establishing Orchid Cancer Nurses to exploit research opportunities, provide guidance on all cancers and thereby improve patient outcomes by both prevention and the effectiveness of treatment in other parts of the UK.