My name is Ciara I live in South Yorkshire and work full time for the NHS in critical care. I’m a mother to three children and when I do manage to steal some ‘me’ time I like to socialise with friends. I first learnt about PACT and all the amazing work they do when my daughter aged ten was diagnosed with AML, a form of leukaemia. Everything from that time was a blur of medical professionals, statistics and drug regimes but PACT were there to hold my hand. Once my daughter achieved remission the medics were less visible but PACT never faded in presence. When the team asked me to consider becoming a trustee I was overwhelmed and felt honoured. To this day I’m happy with my decision to proceed and become part of a wonderful charity.
Hi, I am Nickie, I am 43 years old. I am married to Steve and we have two children together; Daisy aged 20 and Harrison aged 18. Harrison was diagnosed with AML (acute myeloid leukemia) aged 14 years old and had to undergo chemotherapy and 2 bone marrow transplants at Sheffield Childrens Hospital. This was where I learned about PACT and how they support oncology families during the trauma of childhood cancer. I decided that I wanted to become a trustee for PACT as I am passionate about helping the charity to continue the great work that they do.
My name is Liz Hunt and I am an Assistant Manager for a Children’s Home in Sheffield. In January 2018 my youngest son was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, aged 7. Four words changed our lives unimaginably….’your child has cancer’! Sam was admitted to Sheffield Children’s Hospital immediately and was started on chemotherapy. It is hard to describe the whirlwind of emotions and a lot of it is now a blur, but what is still at the forefront of my mind is the fact that PACT was there for us from that very first day. Lending a listening ear, understanding, making sure we at least ate a sandwich and further down the line the precious week in Filey and day trips. Priceless! Having been through a cancer diagnoses of a child, I hope I can contribute a parent’s perspective of what is needed to support families in future.
Lindsey has been married to Carl for 21 years and has 2 children, Ellie (20) and Josh (18) She says “when Ellie was 8 years old she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), she was on a cocktail of drugs including chemotherapy and spent lots of time at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Ellie had only been diagnosed 2 days when Beryl came and introduced herself and told us all the wonderful ways that PACT could support us as a family and knowing she had been through the same experience as us meant so much. We have been so grateful for all the support both during and after treatment and that is why I decided to become a trustee and I look forward to working as part of a team to keep the wonderful work going and to explore new ways in which we can help families during this difficult time”
Dr Dan joined us as a medical trustee in October 2022.
I am Martyn Rhodes and I am the longest serving trustee. I became involved 16 years ago when our Son Jonathan was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Pact were there from the beginning and still support us to this day. Jonathan passed away in 2004 but I have continued to support Pact as I know first hand what a difference they can make. I started to organise a Pact charity ball 14 years ago and we have done this every year since. I support Pact in anyway I can.