By Claire Racine

The founder of Orchid, the only UK male cancer charity to focus on prostate, testicular and penile cancer, has been honoured with an MBE in the Queen’s 2009 birthday honours.

For his 13 years of service in the healthcare industry, Colin Osborne will be presented at an Investiture at Buckingham Palace.

When Osborne was diagnosed with testicular cancer, he decided if he survived that he would attempt to raise awareness about male cancer.

As the father of two boys, he had an added incentive.

In 1996 Osborne and Professor Tim Oliver, the man who saved Osborne’s life, founded Orchid, which has raised over £15m to fund medical research, promote male cancer awareness and ease the suffering of those affected by male cancer.

“I still want to do everything in my power to fundraise,” Osborne said. “I want to fund new research and treatments, but above all I want to encourage men to become more self aware, self-check and contact a doctor early if needs be - if only one life is saved, then all the hard work is worthwhile.”