ABOUT US

We are the UK's germ cell cancer community

Our mission is to stop young adults dying from germ cell cancer - we do this through raising awareness with our life-saving cancer campaigns, engaging young adults with our digital education programmes & empowering the germ cell cancer community across the UK.

Get Involved

OUR VISION

Our vision is to reach every young person in the UK with our life-saving cancer campaigns.

Since 2012, we have reached tens of millions of people online, engaged with hundred of thousands of people in the community, and delivered life-saving educational talks to over 100,000 young adults in schools, colleges & businesses across the region.

The Robin Cancer Trust was founded in 2012 by the Freeman family following the untimely death of their son and brother, Robin Freeman, aged just 24.

Robin was diagnosed in the prime of his life in 2011 with a Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumour (a grapefruit-sized tumour in his chest). Following 10 months in treatment, including several rounds of chemotherapy and a stem-cell transplant, he was told there was nothing else his medical team could do. He passed away surrounded by his loved ones on December 10th 2011.

His family promised him that ‘he would never just be a photograph on the wall’ and that something good would be born of his tragedy. Robin inspires us to raise awareness, reduce embarrassment and save young lives through the early detection of germ cell cancers.

Rob's Story

Our Impact

MEET THE TEAM

Founder & CEO

TOBY FREEMAN BCA

At the age of 22, after losing his brother Robin to a late-stage germ cell cancer diagnosis, Toby founded The Robin Cancer Trust with a mission to stop young people dying from testicular and ovarian cancers

Toby has reached millions of young adults with his life-saving cancer campaigns, delivered talks to over 20,000 people worldwide, and is a recipient of the British Citizen Award for Services to Healthcare.

Toby is a keen advocate for the young adult cancer community, giving a voice to those affected and campaigning for cancer education, engagement and empowerment.

In 2020, Toby delivered his TED Talk, Three Steps to Surviving Grief, sharing his story of losing his brother and how he learnt to channel his grief positively.

Community Engagement Manager

DARREN COUCHMAN

Darren Couchman is a testicular cancer survivor of

20 years with over 13 years’ experience in the charity sector.

Darren has been raising awareness of testicular cancer since 2008 when his book "One Lump or Two '' was published - and he undertook his first ever awareness campaign which involved travelling around England visiting place names that have reference to the male genitalia!

Darren has organised numerous awareness campaigns and publicity stunts to raise awareness as well as giving hundreds of educational talks to schools, colleges, clubs and companies.

Darren, along with his mate Richard Miller, also set the original Guinness World Record in May 2010 for the ‘largest simultaneous self-check for testicular cancer’ – bringing together 208 men at once to check themselves in a public place!

Marketing and Communications Manager

Matt Parker

Matt is our resident marketing & communications specialist, having worked in a variety of roles and sectors after completing his degree in Branding & Promotion.

He has headed national campaigns for multiple businesses across radio, television and social media and comes to TRCT with lots of fresh ideas to help us reach more young adults with our life-saving message.

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Marketing Assistant

Amber McLaughlin

Amber is our Marketing Assistant, having worked in social media marketing and visual content creation for a number of years across the education, leisure & tourism and charity sectors. Amber is passionate about using her creative skills to reach young-adults with our life-saving cancer awareness messages!

Head of Operations

Louise Irons

As a telecommunications professional with over 20 years of experience, Lou has had the opportunity to travel the world and meet some fascinating people. Having a passion for helping people led her to transfer her skills in the charity sector and change careers; She is passionate about helping organisations that support and help communities thrive. Her experience includes coordinating and leading various programs such as Community Café, Marketing and Communications, Research and Development, Funding, Asset Mapping, and Reporting.

Partnerships Manager

Tracy Wellsted

Tracy has over 30 years of experience in the charity sector mainly focussing on health and social care. Throughout her career, she’s held various roles in marketing, fundraising, events, and communications at a senior level.

Some of Tracy's proudest achievements include being part of Help the Aged's award-winning 'Heat or Eat' campaign and playing a key role in Diabetes UK's rebrand. Tracy is all about building supportive teams, finding smart solutions, and leading projects that make a real difference.

Community Engagement Officer

Victoria Tewson

Victoria is our Community Engagement Officer for the East Midlands. Originally a Primary School Teacher, she then moved on to having a variety of roles in different sectors but has always had a passion to help people and make a difference

Victoria is excited and enthusiastic about engaging, educating and empowering young people whilst delivering our life saving cancer awareness talks.