Honorary Presidents

Professor Tim Oliver MD FRCP

Professor Oliver was Consultant Oncologist and Professor Emeritus of Medical Oncology at St. Bartholomew’s and The Royal London Hospital School of Medicine and Dentistry. He studied at St John’s College, Cambridge and at The Royal London Hospital. After training in cancer medicine at St. Bartholomew’s, he moved to the Institute of Urology and pioneered drug treatments for male cancer. Returning to Bart’s and the Royal London, he linked up with centres in East Anglia and Essex to create a clinical trials organisation large enough to study the new treatments that emerged from his work. Professor Oliver has contributed to international research initiatives in prostate and testis cancer treatment through the European Organisation for Research and Treatment in Cancer (EORTC). He helped to found Orchid with his former patient Colin Osborne and was the driving force behind Orchid’s unique approach to research. His vision of breaking through conventional research streams and identifying potential novel linkages and dependencies within male cancer disease types, has advanced understanding and provided new solutions. A direct result of Professor Oliver’s vision was the establishment in 2006 of a new Clinical Trials Unit in the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre in the Bart’s and London School of Medicine in QMUL.

Colin Osborne MBE

Colin is the founder trustee and the original driving force behind Orchid. He possesses the best qualifications for his role in Orchid, having endured two years of challenging treatment for testicular cancer. After an orchidectomy, chemotherapy, revolutionary use of a drug used previously for ovarian cancer, Taxol, Colin finally had a bone marrow stem cell transplant and further surgery.

When his cancer was very advanced, Colin was warned that the treatment he was offered could kill him. He credits his survival to a determination to see his two small children grow up and the skill of his consultant, Professor Tim Oliver. Together, Colin and Professor Oliver went on to set up Orchid.

Colin has organised many fundraising events and believes in the critical importance of raising awareness. He has appeared on television and radio and in national newspapers and magazines promoting awareness of male cancer. In 2004, he was awarded the prestigious Daily Mirror Pride of Britain award which was featured on ITV and GMTV. In 2006, he was awarded an MBE for his services to health care.

Colin has used his knowledge of the physical and emotional rollercoaster that men suffer when diagnosed and during treatment to support fellow cancer patients. In addition, he has served on various health committees such as the Executive Committee of the Men’s Health Forum, the NCRI Testis Trials Board and the House of Commons All Party Male Cancer Group.