Ambassador role for Macmillan nurse

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Katie Yockney, our Macmillan Advanced Palliative Care Practitioner in Barnsley, has been chosen to represent a national charity for their flagship charity event.

Katie Yockney

Macmillan Cancer Support have asked Katie to be a Marks & Spencer Ambassador to mark their biggest fundraising event of the year, World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, which took place on Friday 27 September.

Macmillan select professionals from around the country who go far above the call of duty in supporting people affected by cancer every day.

Katie has been a Macmillan nurse for 21 years. Her current role focusses on working on ways to improve patients’ experience with end of life care across Barnsley, she explains:

“The people I work with have months, if not less, to live and so it’s vital that we focus on what is important to them.

“For that reason, I don’t shy away from conversations about death and dying, but I will ask ‘how can we help you to live better, now and in the future?

“I’ve worked as a Macmillan professional for a long time, the name Macmillan implies an expected standard of care, it can open doors with people who may have had poor care and support experiences in the past.

“Macmillan support throughout my career has allowed me the space to grow into the role.

“I’m excited to be working with Macmillan and M&S so I can fly the flag for this great charity.”

Macmillan has been in partnership with M&S for over ten years, the collaboration has raised £16.3m for the charity, whose income is almost entirely reliant on the generosity of public donations.  All donations from M&S goes towards funding Macmillan professionals who support the growing number of people living with cancer to live life as fully as they can.

Last year M&S raised almost £3 million, enough to fund 55 Macmillan professionals for a year. An incredible £2 million came from Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.  Katie marked her first year in the M&S Ambassador role by attending a World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in Silkstone.

Paul Hughes, our Service Development Manager – Long Term Conditions, said:

“We’re extremely proud that Katie has been asked by Macmillan Cancer Support to be their Marks & Spencer Ambassador. The work that Katie and her Macmillan colleagues undertake from within the Trust’s community palliative care service is vitally important in ensuring that both people with advanced progressive illness and their families are fully supported.”

Dinah Coggon is the Macmillan Partnership Quality Lead for Macmillan in South Yorkshire; she said:

“Professionals like Katie are a lifeline for many patients and their families; giving crucial emotional support, helping manage treatment side effects and sharing practical advice about finances or family arrangements.

“This ambassadorial role is our way of saying thank you for the fantastic support our professionals provide in and around Barnsley.”

Ambassador role for Macmillan nurse

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