The Bowel Cancer UK charity has announced that Lauren McCrisken from Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, is a winner of the prestigious national Gary Logue Colorectal Cancer Nurse Awards.
Charlene White, patron and ITN news presenter, announced the winners at the National Colorectal Cancer Nurses Network (NCCNN) virtual study day on Wednesday 29 September. Lauren will receive a bursary towards her professional development.
Catherine Winsor, director of services at Bowel Cancer UK, said:
We asked healthcare professionals and patients to nominate their inspirational colleagues and colorectal cancer nurses; those who make a huge difference to the lives of everyone they reach. Lauren’s nomination shows just how much she deserved to win this award and we want to thank her for her hard work.
Catherine Winsor, director of services at Bowel Cancer UK
The nomination, sent in by a patient, said: “Words can't describe how much Lauren has supported me throughout the last year and a half. Throughout this extremely terrifying journey, Lauren has been there as my rock every step of the way to calm me, support me, inform me and all with such kindness and compassion. She always talks the honest truth even when that is difficult (and trust me it has been!). But she has an amazing way of communicating the medical information while still making me feel cared for, listened to and supported.
She added:
She has rung me with medical news way past her working hours, just because she knew I was waiting to hear and was nervous. She never, ever makes me feel like I am a bother or I am wasting her time. She is always there on the end of the phone.
Lauren's patient
"Even now that I am (thankfully) on surveillance I still appreciate knowing that she is always there for me. I can't thank her enough. She honestly has been such an unbelievable light in this very dark journey. Oh and her sense of humour is pretty epic too!”
Lauren said:
I was surprised to be nominated for this award, let alone win it which is an absolute honour. It is incredibly special that my nomination came from a patient who took the time to acknowledge the work we do whilst dealing with a cancer diagnosis. It is such a pleasure to know that the work we do has a positive impact on patients’ lives, but I couldn’t do the work I do without the support of the other nurses in the team.
Winner - Lauren McCrisken
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second biggest cancer killer. Every 15 minutes in the UK someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer.
The awards were set up in memory of Gary Logue, who worked as a nurse for the charity and passed away in 2014, in honour of the tireless dedication he showed during his career.