A nurse from Stockport has joined a national charity's Board of Trustees. Sarah Wells, Clinical Nurse Specialist at The Christie in Manchester joins Lymphoma Action's eleven-strong team of Trustees focused on helping the charity to reach even more people affected by lymphoma.
Lymphoma Action is the only UK charity dedicated to lymphoma, and its vision is that everyone affected by this blood cancer receives the best possible information, support, treatment and care. With a new case diagnosed every 27 minutes and 125,000 people currently living with lymphoma, there is a growing need for support across the country. Expanding its Board of Trustees and bringing in Trustees with skillsets new to the Board helps the charity to reach more people as it strives to ensure that no-one has to face their lymphoma along. Sarah is one of three new Trustees who joined the charity in June, along with a new Treasurer and a specialist in public affairs and communications.
Gordon Johns, Chair of Lymphoma Action's Board of Trustees, explains: "Bringing new skills to our Board is an important part of reaching more people. We know that lymphoma can be difficult to diagnose and it's a complex condition with over 60 sub types. It brings its own psychological challenges because some forms of slow-growing lymphoma may never need treatment. We want to reach more healthcare professionals to support them to understand lymphoma better - and make sure that patients and their family members have access to the emotional support and practical information they need. Sarah's experience, advice and contacts will be so valuable in helping us achieve this. We're delighted to have her on board."
As a Clinical Nurse Specialist working in the field of lymphoma, Sarah sees patients at many different stages of their lymphoma journey. She is the keyworker for all lymphoma patients at The Christie; the first port of call for people newly diagnosed and she also supports people who are undergoing treatment or having check-ups as part of the long-term management of their condition. She already signposts Lymphoma Action's Information and other support services such as its confidential helpline and buddy network ad gives out the charity's award-winning information booklets to patients and family members.
Sarah explains: "Lymphoma Action has been helping my patients and families for many years by providing expert advice and support. I'm looking forward to giving something back and am excited about providing a specialist nurse's perspective."
Find out more about Lymphoma Action at www.lymphoma-action.org.uk