About Us

About Us

After more than 60 years of incredible dedication to improving cancer care across Doncaster and the surrounding region, the Doncaster Cancer Detection Trust (DCDT) has closed as a registered charity, but its legacy continues to shine.

Founded in 1972, DCDT became Doncaster’s oldest local cancer charity, funding over 80 pieces of frontline cancer equipment, contributing millions of pounds towards life-saving facilities and medical expertise, and playing a key role in building and upgrading St John’s Hospice. All of this was achieved entirely by volunteers, supported by the generosity of local people, businesses, and organisations united in their commitment to better cancer care.

Today, the legacy of DCDT proudly lives on through the Cancer Detection Fund within the Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) Charity. This fund ensures continued investment in vital equipment and innovation to advance cancer diagnosis and treatment across our community.

Our dedicated trustees will continue as ambassadors for the Cancer Detection Fund, championing the cause and helping to secure the donations and partnerships that keep DCDT’s spirit alive. Together, we remain committed to building on decades of achievement, ensuring that the people of Doncaster continue to benefit from world-class cancer services for generations to come.

Our History

1972

Doncaster Cancer Detection Trust (DCDT) was launched in 1972 by our founder, the late Jeannette Fish, with the aim to purchase front-line equipment to diagnose and treat cancer for the inhabitants of Doncaster

1973

We donated our first piece of equipment cancer – a Bronchoscope for Doncaster Royal Infirmary

1985

We set out to raise £1 million to build and equip a hospice to treat terminally ill cancer patients

1992

In 1992 we built and equipped the St John’s Hospice, after raising over £2 million

2000

With the support of the Doncaster Free Press, the Millennium Appeal was set up to raise funds in order to build a much need cancer information and support centre

2004

Completion of Phase 2 on the Information and Support Centre, which then became the St John’s Campus costing £1.5 million

2008

We launched our Scanner Appeal, our target of £600,000 would purchase a state of the art CT Scanner for the DRI – the first outside of London

2012

Our new CT Scanner is now working at full capacity in Doncaster Royal Infirmary, just in time for DCDT to celebrate it’s 40th anniversary

2014

A donation of £500,000 upgrades all ten inpatient bedrooms at St John’s Hospice

2019

February – DCDT successfully raises £500,000 for a much needed second CT scanner at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI)

Construction starts on the new CT scanning suite at DRI, which will house the new CT scanner

April – Launch of our prostate cancer appeal to buy a £150,000 biopsy machine for DRI’s Urology Department

2020

The new CT scanning suite opens at DRI and starts patient scans from March

2021

New BK3000 ultrasound machine purchased for Doncaster Royal Infirmary’s Urology clinic

2022

Official opening of the Jeannette Fish CT Scanning Suite at Doncaster Royal Infirmary

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Thanks for your support

Thank you to these great organisations and individuals supporting DCDT…

  • Frenchgate Shopping Centre
  • Doncaster Free Press
  • Earl of Doncaster Hotel
  • Buckleys Holidays
  • Christchurch Dancers
  • Doncaster & District Rotary Groups
  • Doncaster Golf Club
  • Doncaster Wheatsheaf Singers
  • Funeral donations
  • Hatfield Friends of DCDT
  • Marks & Spencer
  • Mercure Doncaster Danum Hotel
  • NCS Students
  • Optima International
  • Tesco Bentley
  • Thorne Rural Lions
  • Tickhill & District Lions
  • UNITE Union
  • Vizuality
  • Wheatley Golf Club