A Swansea sarcoma support worker has been honoured with a national award for her outstanding work supporting patients with a rare form of cancer that many have never heard of until diagnosis.
Lucy Whiddett, 40, won the Sarcoma Healthcare Professional Innovation and Excellence Award at Sarcoma UK’s Shining Star awards ceremony held at Tower Bridge in London.
As a sarcoma support worker at Swansea Bay NHS, Lucy has become a vital lifeline for patients diagnosed with this uncommon cancer, which affects about 15 people daily across the UK. Sarcomas can develop in any part of the body – muscle, bone, tendons, blood vessels and fatty tissues – with approximately 100 different subtypes.
‘I love this job. I feel very privileged to be able to help people at such a difficult time in their lives and make things a little easier,’ said Lucy, who has been in the role since 2019. ‘I now can’t imagine doing anything else.’
Lucy serves as the first point of contact for newly diagnosed patients and their families, offering phone guidance and support, signposting to essential services and making direct referrals. She and the nursing team have also created a digital noticeboard giving patients instant access to information about their diagnosis and organised patient engagement events.
Remarkably, Lucy had never heard of sarcoma before applying for the position. ‘I had worked in community care, but I wanted a change and saw the job, then I looked into it,’ she explained.
Her impact extends beyond Swansea Bay. Lucy has been instrumental in helping healthcare colleagues across the country understand the sarcoma support worker role, establishing a national group that meets regularly online to share expertise and hear from specialists.
With about 5,300 people diagnosed with sarcoma annually in the UK, Lucy’s work ensures patients ‘have a positive experience from the start of their diagnostic pathway, at diagnosis through treatment and follow-up’ during one of the most challenging times of their lives.
Sam Hackett, Sarcoma UK’s Healthcare Professional Engagement Lead, said: ‘Many patients have never heard of sarcoma before their diagnosis, which makes Lucy’s role so vital. She provides that crucial human connection and support when people need it most. Lucy’s commitment to excellence in her role has undoubtedly made a real difference to many patients and families and we are really happy to be able to recognise her work in this way.’
