A health worker became an ambassador for cervical cancer awareness after beating the illness herself has been recognised for honours.
Lisa Tomlinson has been shortlisted in the ‘rising star’ category of the Nursing Times Awards.
Lisa successfully fought cervical cancer more than a decade ago. Since then she has helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity and lobbied the government to lower the age of cervical screening.
Lisa also relapsed with appendix cancer in 2015 but recovered. Now she has become a champion for health promotion within her own workplace. She organises countless awareness days and events and fundraising activities.
She currently organises a bi-monthly awareness campaign in all of the waiting areas in outpatients departments across the Trust’s two hospitals, with support from her fellow health support workers.
Lisa has also retrained into a nursing associate position in orthopaedic outpatients. It is a new role designed to help bridge the development gap between a healthcare assistant and a registered nurse.
Lisa has also become a mentor to colleagues. Now she is set to attend an awards ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on 27 October.
“I really am just so appreciative of every day I have”
She said: “To have been through everything I have, surviving cancer twice, I really am just so appreciative of every day I have.
“I wanted to do all I could to raise awareness with women of the need to be screened. If I have helped some women go to that screening appointment and help catch cancer early, then it has all been worth it.
“I am so lucky to work in an organisation with so many fantastic people. So many have helped me run events, highlight so many health campaigns to our staff and community. They have supported me to achieve my dream of becoming a nursing associate.
“I am so thankful for everything I have and am privileged to have the opportunity to meet and hear about so many amazing NHS staff from across the country at this event.”
