Cancer Advocate, CEO & Founder of SimpalUK

Chris Lewis is a cancer advocate, charity leader, speaker, writer, founder and CEO of SimpalUK, a UK charity tackling digital poverty by helping vulnerable people stay connected when they need support most.

After being diagnosed with a rare blood cancer and given only six months to live, Chris turned his own experience into a lifelong commitment to helping others. What began as personal advocacy for people affected by cancer has grown into wider work across health, poverty, digital exclusion, and social support.

Through SimpalUK, Chris helps people across the UK access free prepaid SIM cards, mobile data, and phones where possible. The charity supports people living with cancer, serious illness, poor health, poverty, homelessness, domestic abuse, mental health challenges, and other situations where being disconnected can make life even harder.

Why Connection Matters

Chris believes that in today’s world, digital connection is not a luxury. It is a lifeline.

A phone and data connection can help someone speak to family, contact a doctor, manage appointments, apply for benefits, look for work, access housing support, stay safe, or simply feel less alone.

For people already facing illness, poverty, or crisis, being cut off from communication can deepen isolation and make it harder to get help.
This belief sits at the heart of Chris’s work. His mission is simple: to make sure people are not left behind because they cannot afford to stay connected.

From Lived Experience to National Impact

Chris’s work is rooted in lived experience. His cancer diagnosis changed the direction of his life and gave him a deep understanding of what people face when illness disrupts everything.

Since then, he has become a respected voice in cancer advocacy, patient support, and digital inclusion. He has worked with charities, healthcare teams, public services, community organisations, and corporate partners to improve the lives of people facing difficult circumstances.

His advocacy has taken him from local community groups to national platforms, medical conferences, government discussions, media interviews, and published work in respected medical journals. He was the first Patient Voice contributor invited to write for The Lancet, reflecting his commitment to ensuring patients are listened to, respected, and involved iCommitted to Excellence and Continuous Growth

Throughout his career, Chris has maintained an unwavering commitment to professional development and continuous learning. This dedication to growth, both personal and professional, enables him to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the challenges facing modern organisations.

His approach is always collaborative, seeking to understand the unique context and culture of each organisation before developing tailored strategies for success.

Leadership with Purpose

Chris brings together lived experience, charity leadership, operational knowledge, and a direct understanding of the people SimpalUk supports.

His leadership is practical, human, and focused on real-world impact. He believes charities should move quickly, work collaboratively, and stay close to the people they exist to serve.

Through SimpalUK, he has built a volunteer-led organisation that works with partners across the UK to provide immediate, meaningful support to people affected by digital poverty.

Chris continues to use his voice, network, and experience to raise awareness of digital exclusion and to challenge the idea that connectivity should depend on someone’s income, health, or circumstances.

A Clear Mission

Chris’s message is simple:

No one should be cut off from family, healthcare, support, or opportunity because they cannot afford a phone or internet connection.

Through his advocacy, writing, speaking, and work with SimpalUK, Chris is helping to build a more connected, compassionate, and practical form of support for people across the UK.