A nurse from Buckhurst Hill, Essex, who transformed her own cancer diagnosis into a lifeline for others has been recognised with a prestigious national award.
Karen Delin, 60, a ward sister at St Francis Hospice in Essex, received the Roger Wilson Inspiration of the Year award at Sarcoma UK’s Shining Star Awards Ceremony at Tower Bridge last week. The award was presented by Roger Wilson CBE himself, who founded the charity that has become the UK’s leading organisation supporting people affected by sarcoma, a rare form of cancer.
Karen’s journey began in 2006 when what doctors initially thought was a benign fibroid turned out to be leiomyosarcoma, a rare cancer with only about 525 cases diagnosed annually in England – representing just 0.17% of all cancers.
‘Like so many others who have heard the words “you have cancer”, that moment is unforgettable,’ Karen said at the awards ceremony. ‘My consultant wrote down words I’d never heard before: uterine leiomyosarcoma. He said, “Whatever you do, don’t go home and Google it”, and then added, “Of course you will, just remember to look at safe, reliable sites.” There weren’t many at that time.’
As a qualified nurse, Karen wasn’t daunted by the diagnosis. She spent nights researching until 2 or 3am, determined to understand her condition. But the experience also revealed a crucial gap: while she found support through an American online group, there was nothing similar available in the UK for sarcoma patients.
After successful surgery and radiotherapy, Karen discovered the Sarcoma Trust, run by Roger and Sheelagh Wilson. In 2007, Roger asked her to establish a support group in London at the Royal Marsden Hospital, one of the UK’s specialist sarcoma centres.
‘I remember thinking, if I as a nurse felt scared and alone, how must others feel?’ Karen explained.
The first meeting was an informal gathering in a café at John Lewis, but the London Sarcoma Support Group quickly grew. Nearly two decades later, it continues to thrive with monthly meetings alternating between the Royal Marsden and University College London Hospital, offering both in-person and online attendance, along with talks, peer support and connection.
Karen’s commitment didn’t stop there. She served as a trustee of Sarcoma UK for nine years, including three years as chair, helping the organisation grow from a handful of people to a charity with over 40 staff members.
Today, Karen continues her dual mission as both a hospice nurse and sarcoma advocate. As an ambassador for Sarcoma UK and leader of the London Sarcoma Support Group, she also serves on the charity’s grant review panel assessing research proposals.
‘Looking back, I’m glad awareness of sarcoma has grown, but there is still lots of work to be done,’ Karen said. ‘To have been part of Sarcoma UK’s history and its future is what inspires me every single day.’
Reflecting on how far things have come since her diagnosis, Karen added: ‘When I think back to my surgeon’s first words when I received that diagnosis, I feel confident that today’s patients will hear of Sarcoma UK’s excellent website, full of research, information and support networks.’
