How to Care for the Caregiver

Chris’s world changed when he heard the words “You have cancer” on Friday the 13th in 2011. His cancer treatment changed both his physical health and mental health. Joining the Cancer Support Network after his treatment allowed him to have positivity slowly seep back into his life. By experiencing this life-changing role of being a part of a support group, he helped the group go from a group of supportive individuals to a full-blown charity organization.

Swallows Head & Neck Cancer helps patients and carers across the globe by supporting them through their journeys, as well as offering a 24/7 helpline for patients and carers to use for advice and round the clock support. There is a physical charity shop in Blackpool, England - where the charity was founded - which is run by a great team of volunteers and managed by their dedicated manager Anne Nyland.

Chris understands that having a strong support system around you whilst undergoing treatment is important to help you to stay strong throughout the cancer journey. His dream is to help tomorrow’s patients and ensure their journey is better than today’s.

Sharon grew up in Blackpool, England, and worked a number of years in the travel industry. After having her two children, she changed careers to become a personal assistant. In 2011, her husband, Chris, was diagnosed with throat cancer. This news changed her life and she suddenly became his caregiver, a role she never thought she would play. 

Towards the end of Chris’ treatment, the couple attended a local support group. Within a year Chris rebranded the group to the Swallows Head & Neck Cancer Support Group and turned it into a charity. During that time Sharon understood the level of support for caregivers was critically low, even though caregivers play a vital role in the lives of patients. 

Sharon now runs the 24/7 support line, providing a space for caregivers to speak directly to someone who understands their struggles.

Johna lives in Alaska after falling in love with the area while visiting her folks who had recently moved there. 

She volunteers in her community, having been involved with Relay For Live for more than a decade as well as the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network for eight years. She has recently joined the Alaska Advisory Board for the American Cancer Society.

Taylor manages EMD Serono’s relationships with patient advocacy organizations and health care provider groups to ensure patient and caregiver perspectives are represented and to expand access to therapies. Prior to joining EMD Serono in March 2021, Taylor worked with several patient advocacy organizations, in roles primarily focused on advocacy and policy issues, as well as building strong coalitions with stakeholders to support patients through the continuum of care – from screening through survivorship.

Dave is a patient advocate and research evangelist with more than 20 years of progressive experience in community-building, nonprofit fundraising, and patient engagement and empowerment leadership roles. He is currently Vice President of Empowerment for GRYT Health, working on a team to provide patient-centric solutions to GRYT Health’s pharmaceutical and healthcare clients’ most challenging problems in order to help them better address patient needs. Dave is also host of the Research Evangelist Podcast where he interviews people in life sciences doing meaningful work. In addition, he is an advisor to Medidata Solutions where he serves on the Patient Insights Board team to bring the patient voice to the clinical trial experience. Previously Dave spent eight years leading nonprofit fundraising and advocacy teams, including four years as Vice President of Development for National Foundation for Cancer Research where he was responsible for all fundraising and advocacy efforts.

A lung cancer survivor, Dave has made it his life mission to connect patients, biopharma companies, academic institutions, and other key influencers to forge strong partnerships to focus on research. He also advocates for and builds bridges between patient groups and the biopharma industry. He proudly serves on the Advisory Board of the Cancer Epigenetics Institute at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Dave earned a BS in Economics and Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.