The Charity derives its name from the words Pelvic and Liver Cancer. Formed in 2000 it was based around the pioneering work in bowel cancer surgery of Professor `Bill` Heald OBE, Mr. Brendan Moran and colleagues in Basingstoke. It has since expanded to include other cancers of the pelvic region and liver. Professor Heald has over the past 20 years specialised in the research and development of the Total Mesorectal Excision (TME) technique for rectal cancer. This technique has now become the "gold standard" for rectal cancer surgery.

The Department of Health, led by the National Cancer Director, Professor Mike Richards, commissioned Pelican to deliver the English National Multidisciplinary Team Total Mesorectal Excision (MDT-TME) Development Programme.  Launched in March 2003 the aims of the project were to improve survival and quality of life of patients with rectal cancer through the education and development of colorectal cancer teams (MDTs).  This was the first nationally endorsed multidisciplinary educational programme for rectal cancer, or indeed any other cancer.  It has been acknowledged as one of the most successful and cost-effective NHS interventions in rectal cancer.  It is hoped that following on from the success of this project, similar programmes  will be commissioned in the future.

Pelican aims to be a `centre of excellence` for sharing life saving, life enhancing knowledge and skills to future generations of surgeons and cancer teams.

The charity has a world vision for:

• Enabling improvements in treatment using precision surgery
• Teaching and developing the latest procedures for surgeons and cancer teams
• Leading research into pelvic cancer surgery and treatment