History of NCC

The Ninewells Cancer Campaign was established in 1991 when Dr Pat McPherson, a successful local businessman asked Jacqui Wood to join him to head a £1million appeal to establish the Biomedical Research Centre, a major new research institute led by Professor Roland Wolf within the University of Dundee School of Medicine. The Biomedical Research Centre quickly expanded to support more than 150 research staff working on many aspects of basic and translational “bench to bedside” cancer research. Vital initial support from the Ninewells Cancer Campaign has attracted £millions in additional research grant funding.  The Biomedical Research Centre provided a launchpad for translational cancer research in the medical school, now primarily based within the current Divisions of Cellular Medicine and Molecular and Clinical Medicine.

The initial £1million fundraising appeal captured the imagination of the local public and was so successful that it was decided to continue to raise money for cancer research and treatment in Dundee. 

Dr Jacqui Wood was Chair of the Ninewells Cancer Campaign from its foundation in 1991 until her death from cancer in May 2011, demonstrating her long-standing commitment to help further the cause of cancer research and improve the lives of others. In 2013 the Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre was opened on the Ninewells Hospital campus in memory of Jacqui, bringing research scientists and clinicians together to continue the fight against cancer.

Following Jacqui’s death, we were delighted that Lady Fraser, following many years as Vice-Chair, agreed to lead the Ninewells Cancer Campaign from 2011-2019. This marked another very successful period of local fundraising and support, including the formal opening of the Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre in 2013, when we were honoured to be joined by Professor Sir David Lane.

Our current Chair, Professor Bob Steele CBE came to Dundee in 1996 as Professor of Surgery, and has supported the Ninewells Cancer Campaign since then, working alongside Jacqui Wood and Pat MacPherson and then Lady Fraser. Professor Steele has recently retired from clinical practice but continues to have a major interest in Bowel Cancer Screening. He recognises the vital role the Ninewells Cancer Campaign has played in supporting local cancer research and improving facilities and outcomes for those living with cancer in Dundee, Angus and North Fife at Ninewells Hospital over the past 20 years, and looks forward to working with you to progress this work further and faster.

Over almost 30 years, NCC has raised £23 million, and supported many ambitious projects in the medical school, for example providing specialised medical and surgical equipment, and supporting research into more personalised, “precision” cancer medicine.