Thank You to Ivan McMinn MBE, Chairperson at Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.

Today we say farewell to our Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Ivan McMinn MBE, who has chosen to step down from our Board after eight years of service.

Ivan joined the charity in 2015 bringing valuable commercial and financial expertise to the Board. He joined with an extensive track record in raising funds for charities and brought a powerful, personal experience of living with and surviving a cancer diagnosis. Having received a pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2011, nine months after having his chemotherapy treatment Ivan completed the London Marathon demonstrating his strength, resolve and courage.

Ivan became Vice-Chair of the Board in 2018 and then Chairperson in 2021. Along with his board colleagues, Ivan helped steer the charity through the challenging times of the COVID pandemic and was instrumental in the creation of our charity’s exciting new five-year strategy. His passion for supporting people on their cancer journey is unwavering.

Thanking Ivan for his commitment, and contribution to Cancer Focus NI, Richard Spratt, Chief Executive at the charity said:

“Ivan has made an immense impact to the lives of people in Northern Ireland affected by a cancer diagnosis. From championing cancer awareness and research, to encouraging and supporting the development of Cancer Focus NI’s portfolio of services and programmes. In addition, he has added his experience to shaping policy in the form of co-chairing the NI Cancer Strategy. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank him on behalf of everyone at Cancer Focus NI, including our Board of Trustees, staff, clients, volunteers, and all our supporters. We wish Ivan the very best for the future as he continues to support and develop the vital work of NIPANC in improving outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients in Northern Ireland.”