Our Team
The support we provide to teenagers and young adults during and after cancer is only made possible with a committed team, who are passionate about making a difference, and dedicated to making it happen.
From fundraising, to beneficiary support, marketing, and operations; we cover it all
in-house with our skilled team.
Our CEO & Co-Founders
"I'm privileged to lead the Teens Unite team, dedicated to improving the lives of every teenager & young adult living with cancer across the UK.
It is an honour to work alongside our passionate co-founders and board of trustees to make a life-changing difference."
Roxanne Lawrance
CEO
"I'm so incredibly proud to see Teens Unite continue to grow, and provide more teenagers and young adults with the opportunities they deserve to flourish, and achieve, without cancer holding them back."
Karen Millen OBE
Co-Founder
"I co-founded Teens Unite in 2007 to ensure teenagers and young adults received the vital support needed outside of medical care during and after cancer.
Teens Unite remains the only charity filling this void, and it's a privilege to play such a vital role in transforming the lives of young people."
Debbie Pezzani BEM
Co-Founder
Our Board of Trustees
Teens Unite is governed by a board of trustees, who bring a wealth of experience in their specialist field.
Together, they volunteer their time and expertise to oversee the overall management and direction of Teens Unite, making key decisions about how we operate, our finances, and ensuring we are achieving our objectives.
Business leader, best-selling author and PhD graduate with 15+ years’ experience in successfully building organisations, teams, processes and systems across Pharma, Biotech and HealthTech.
Despite having spent her career focusing on bringing life-changing medical treatments to patients, Rebecca recognises that the needs of teenagers and young adults overcoming cancer goes beyond this.
Dr Rebecca Godfrey
Chair
GP, cancer survivor, TV medical expert, and campaigner.
Through her own lived experience of cancer, Dr Anisha guides us on the support needed outside of medical care, during and after cancer.
She is committed to amplifying the voice of the young people we support; ensuring their experiences and needs are heard.
Dr Anisha Patel
Beneficiary and
Safeguarding Lead
Former Area Director and Relationship Director for Lloyds Banking Group.
Patrick benefits from 38 years' banking experience, working at senior level.
He is the Treasurer for Teens Unite, overseeing our finances, supporting with planning and forecasting, and maximising the value of our funds.
Patrick Maslen
Finance Lead
_edited_edited_edited_edit.jpg)
Marketing Director (Home and Clothing) for the largest supermarket chain in the UK, Tesco.
Having worked at a senior level across communications, campaigns, and consumer PR, Sarah is able to use her expertise to drive brand awareness for Teens Unite, grow our supporters base, and help us reach more young people who need us.
Sarah Parmar
Marketing Lead
Business owner, entrepreneur and investor, with over 30 years experience specialising in fashion design and manufacturing.
Jason is an expert when it comes to recognising a gap in the market, understanding consumer needs, and bringing a vision to life.
That's why he's the lead on our capital project - the first retreat in England for young people impacted by cancer.
Jason Marchant
Capital Project Lead
Former Key Account Manager and Head of National Accounts for one of Europe’s largest water and coffee companies.
Natalie recognises the importance of making connections and building relationships.
As Fundraising Lead, Natalie uses this skillset to drive income for Teens Unite, enabling us to grow as an organisation and support more teenagers and young adults.
Natalie Collins
Fundraising and
Partnerships Lead
Our Youth Ambassadors
Teens Unite is guided by the lived experience of the teenagers and young adults we support.
Our Youth Ambassadors form an advisory board; providing a valuable insight into the needs of young people during and after cancer, and how our support can make the most positive impact.
Meet James
WORLDWIDE
.jpg)
"Teens Unite has had a huge positive impact on my self confidence in both my outlook and my disabilities. I attended the activity stay which helped me to realise there is still so much I am capable of. As an ambassador, I want to help make a positive impact for those who feel less able to advocate for themselves, and to ensure change can be made in the care and understanding of young cancer patients.
No young person should ever have to feel alone or hopeless."
George
Diagnosed with Lymphoma,
aged 13
"Teens Unite has changed my life and the way I viewed myself as a young person living with cancer. I no longer see myself as an outsider, I am accepted for who I am with this charity. I wish to share my experience living with an ultra rare bone cancer. I hope to become a spokesperson for the ones who can't speak for themselves. I feel, after having had cancer for such a long time, that I've seen ways in which I know change would be extremely beneficial, and I want to be a part of making those positive changes come to light.
On a personal level, I want to help other young people who may feel alone and show them that they aren't in their fight by themselves. I want to uplift them and show them they can still achieve so much, despite cancer."
Lewis
Diagnosed with Adamantinoma,
aged 10
"Teens Unite sessions have helped boost my confidence and allowed me to be honest with others about my cancer journey and being a long-term survivor. They have supported me in many ways; to engage with others to help me enjoy time in a relaxed setting, having fun and being distracted from the usual clinic setting of hospitals I have become used to.
I want to make sure that people feel supported and listened to at any part of their cancer journey whether newly diagnosed, new into remission, or post five years remission. Everyone in this community deserves to be heard and supported, regardless of what stage they are at."
Molly
Diagnosed with Neuroblastoma,
aged 2
"Teens Unite have given me the chance to meet others in a similar situation to myself and create friendships. They’ve also gave me the opportunity to help build my confidence which has made me realise I can do whatever I put my mind to.
I hope that in being a Young Ambassador for Teens Unite I can help raise awareness about the charity’s amazing work. I'd like to work on putting out information I wish I’d known at the start of my treatment, and help create more opportunities for young people to connect and rebuild their confidence"
Grace
Diagnosed with Neuroblastoma,
aged 16
.png)
"Teens Unite helped me come out of my shell, and rebuild my confidence after treatment.
I connected with people who went through what I did - something I'd never had the opportunity to do before.
I now want to ensure other young people can benefit from Teens Unite's support in the same way I have."
Zaki
Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma,
aged 19
_edited.jpg)
"After treatment finishes you are left to go live your life and people automatically assume that you’re okay. For me that was the most loneliest and overwhelming time.
I then discovered Teens Unite which made me realise that I’m not alone and that there are amazing people here who understand what I’ve been through.
As an ambassador I hope to show people that there is a community here who understand."
Khadra
Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma,
aged 17
_edited.jpg)
"Teens Unite helped me build relationships with people who relate well to what I have gone through.
As an ambassador, I only hope to make the same positive difference to everyone I came in contact with through Teens Unite."
Rachel
Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma
aged 17
_edited_edited.jpg)
"Teens Unite has completely transformed my perspective on life after cancer. While they couldn't magically clear my brain fog or make my hair grow overnight, they gave me something far more valuable: a sense of belonging.
I want to be a voice for those who might not be able to advocate for themselves and ensure that young people affected by cancer are truly seen, heard, and supported. I hope to inspire others, drive positive change, and remind every young person facing cancer that they are never alone."
Caroline
Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma
aged 17
"I discovered Teens Unite through a poster in my hospital and eventually found the courage to attend my first event with them which was to see The Play That Goes Wrong in the west-end. I loved meeting other young people who have had cancer and talking about that, as well as being normal teenagers and young adults.
I love the charity and all they do. As an ambassador, I want to give back to the Teens Unite community, and help make a difference to young people who have or are experiencing cancer and cancer treatments."
Freddie
Diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma
aged 2
"Having cancer as a teenager can be incredibly isolating, so attending Teens Unite events such as a painting class at Pinot & Picasso, or a Christmas film screening in London, gave me the opportunity to meet new people and try new activities in a relaxed environment. Everyone I've met has been so welcoming and supportive which made the world of difference when trying to adjust to life following cancer treatment - there was never any pressure to talk about it, but I knew if I wanted to reach out, they'd be there."
Bryn
Diagnosed with Ocular Melanoma
Be a part of
Teens Unite
Are you interested in joining the team, and making a meaningful difference to the lives of young people overcoming cancer?
Take a look at our current vacancies.