Thanks Cancer Champions - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Marking World Cancer Day – TO mark the recent World Cancer Day, volunteers have highlighted how their cancer experiences help enhance care and improve their patient journey.

Marking World Cancer Day - TO mark the recent World Cancer Day, volunteers have highlighted how their cancer experiences help enhance care and improve their patient journey.

TO mark the recent World Cancer Day, volunteers have highlighted how their cancer experiences help enhance care and improve their patient journey.

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust has over 30 volunteers, known collectively as cancer champions. They are people of all ages, from all backgrounds and walks of life.

The one thing they all have in common is that they either have been diagnosed with cancer or have cared for someone with the disease in the last five years.

One of them is Natalie Darby, 50, from Ashingdon, who has been a cancer champion for the past four years. She was diagnosed in October 2021 with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.

Now in remission, following treatment at Southend Hospital, Ms Darby became a champion after being asked to be part of the group whilst in the chemotherapy unit.

She said: “It was a thrill to be asked because I was so grateful for the treatment I had at Southend, and I really wanted a way to give something back. That’s really at the heart of what the cancer champions are all about.”

One of the things Ms Darby is most proud of as a champion is her work analysing over 1,200 patient comments submitted as part of the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey.

She said: “Before I got ill, I had not long graduated with a psychology degree. So, when the cancer team shared the results of the national survey with the champions group, I offered to help.”

Thanks to Ms Darby’s work, she was able to identify several key themes from over 1,200 patient comments. These helped the team to develop a new section of the Trust’s website with resources and support information for patients and their families.

The cancer champions meet roughly once a month online, with meetings chaired by the Trust’s cancer nursing leads, Emma Chaplin and Katy Low.

Ms Darby said: “Emma and Katy are always keen to hear our feedback and share opportunities for champions to get involved in interesting projects aimed at improving cancer care.”

Emma Chaplin, Deputy Director of Nursing for Cancer, said: “Every patient’s experience with cancer and its treatment is unique.

“Our cancer champions are so valuable in advocating for the needs of patients, so we can tailor our services to provide them with the best possible experience.”

Discover more about becoming a cancer champion, including how to join here: Cancer champions engagement committee.

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