With over 25 years’ experience working within the NHS and charity sector I have a desire for delivering a professional, supportive and much needed service that supports both cancer and mental health.

Over the years I have met many young people who are living with a childhood/young adult cancer diagnosis.  What I soon learnt from these wonderful people was that it’s the whole family and support network who live with the diagnosis and it’s something that lasts for life…not just during treatment.

I’m incredibly proud to be leading Mind Over Cancer as it starts on its journey. Running the charity and delivering the Mental Health Support programme is an honour. Becoming a counsellor and Mental Health First Aid instructor I soon learnt how important it is to talk and share.  Encouraging people to grow in confidence to talk about both cancer and mental health is both a vision and a passion of mine.  Making these topics become an everyday conversation is essential.  Now more than ever we need to learn to look after our own mental health as well those around us.

Susie

My name is Sue Morgan.  I am a qualified adult and children’s nurse qualifying in Cardiff in 1979 and 1982.  I have worked with children and young people with cancer most of my working life, and have had leadership roles in teenage and young adult care for the past 30 years.

My passion has always been about ensuring that the young people get expert, age appropriate cancer care; anything that will help them on their cancer experience being provided.  Along the way I have learned that children and young people with cancer and their families have little access to formalised counselling sessions.  If they are really struggling, and we are fortunate enough to have one, they may have access to psychologist.  But, there is no provision through the NHS for professional counselling, which may well lessen the need for such input.

When Susie (Founder & Chief Executive) talked to me about setting up this charity I immediately knew that this type of service would fill a big void in supportive care for the children and young people who have/have had cancer, families and carers.  It would help them so much to have the tools to cope with the challenges that such a diagnosis brings; easing the burden.  It will also dovetail perfectly with the NHS services.

This is a much-needed service and I feel privileged to be a Trustee.

Sue

It’s a privilege to be a part of this brilliant Charity idea from the incredible Susie Shaw.  The opportunity to be involved was something I jumped at following a long career in the Financial Services industry.  I have held a long ambition to work in the not for profit sector and to use my career and life experience to help others.

The themes that are addressed by Mind Over Cancer, involving mental health and wellbeing, are close to my heart and affect many of us in life.  I look forward to helping to deliver support to as many people as we can, as the Charity grows.

Steve

Hi, my name is Luke – I’m a mental health nurse treating and caring for young people with eating disorders who are hospitalised. In my spare time I wind down by gaming with my friends online, listening to The 1975, as well as travelling abroad with my wife. Mind Over Cancer is such an important charity that I am immensely proud to be a part of. When I was 17, I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma which had attacked several bones in my body. I am now fully recovered and out of remission, however I still have chronic back pain which reminds me of what I went through. I am incredibly grateful to be able to share my stories, hopefully helping others and showing that there can be positive outcomes.

Luke