Our Volunteers

Support Services Manager

I am a retired nurse who previously worked in the NHS and private sector for over 30 years. When my daughter was diagnosed with IBC in 2011 I quickly became aware that there was no UK-specific support, advice or information readily available regarding this rare breast cancer.

After setting up a UK patient support group it soon became obvious that a charity was the way forward to fund IBC research and to educate the public and health professionals in the UK. As a result I founded The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK.

I have spent the last 10 years working alongside medical experts in the UK and USA to gain knowledge of IBC treatment protocols which enables me to give our patient and family group members the most up-to-date information in IBC care.

Support Service Assistant

I was diagnosed with IBC in 2021 at the age of 45. The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK support group was a key lifeline during my treatment and I will be forever grateful, not only for the support the group provides, but also for the valuable knowledge I learned about the disease and the recommended International Standard of Care for IBC which is crucial to ensuring gold standard care for this orphan disease. It is my pleasure to be able to give back to the charity in any way I can and I’m quite honoured to take on this role.

Admin Assistant

I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Grade 3 inflammatory breast cancer in 2012 when I was in my mid 40s, and thankfully I am still No Evidence of Disease (as of 2023). I joined the charity because I wanted to give something back to help others affected by this rare and aggressive cancer which doesn’t get much coverage from the charities that are household names in the UK. I have been following the charity since it started and I am honoured to be offered a post as a volunteer.

I am a Chemical Engineer by profession, and I work full time as a safety engineer, writing safety cases and safety assessments of changes to plant design and operating procedures. I work as a consultant for several different customers so the work is very varied. There is an internet quote that an engineer is someone who solves problems you didn’t know you had in ways you don’t understand, and this is very much what I do!

I live in Bristol with my husband, and we enjoy travelling and exploring the world when we’re not working. We have been to Nepal, Tibet, Ethiopia, the Galapagos Islands, Madagascar, and many parts of Central and South America. Our next planned trip is to Greenland. We also enjoy hiking in the UK and exploring wildlife and local history and we found lots of interesting local places within walking distance of our home during lockdown. I also like gardening and photography.

Website Manager

I am currently working as a Full Stack Software Developer at BSW Group, but for the charity I primarily work on developing and maintaining the Charity Website and Infrastructure. My passion lies in programming, gaming, and all things nerdy, and I take great pride in using my technical skills to contribute to meaningful projects.

In 2017, my mother was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). This life-changing event fueled my desire to give back to the community and raise awareness about this rare and aggressive disease. Since then, I have been dedicated to supporting IBC charities, leveraging my expertise to enhance their digital presence and outreach.

Recently, I moved to the coast with my wife and daughter. Together, we are committed to raising awareness and support for IBC. Through my work and personal life, I am devoted to making a positive impact, both in the tech world and in the lives of those affected by IBC.

Website Coordinator

Like many people, I hadn't heard of Inflammatory Breast Cancer until the diagnosis of a loved one. My mam was diagnosed in August 2017 and throughout her treatment and recovery received a great deal of support and reassurance from The IBC Network UK.

When the opportunity to volunteer as a Website Assistant came about I was delighted to be able to give something back to such a brilliant cause. In my day job I'm an Internal Communications Manager with another charity, the National Trust, providing strategic support and advice in the planning and delivery of a variety of internal communications campaigns.

I'm originally from Morpeth, Northumberland but have recently moved to Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland. In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors; running, hiking and walking my dog Violet.

Charity Ambassador

Having had a successful and enriching career in the NHS for almost 25 years; working clinically as a Senior Sister and latterly as a Senior Operational Manager. In March 2023, age 43, my world was turned upside down; I unexpectedly found myself 'on the other side' when I was diagnosed with stage 4 Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). With lifelong treatment to manage, I am now balancing this challenge with huge support from my wonderful husband and family, focusing on staying well and putting my energy into the joy of raising our two children, and our two looney GSP hounds!

The IBC Network UK has been an incredible source of information and support for me. I deeply understand the importance of educating both healthcare professionals and patients about IBC, raising awareness for early diagnosis, and ensuring that treatments adhere to Standards of Care for best patient outcomes. Sadly, I have now taken medical retirement, but I do hope to be able to put to good use, all my NHS nursing and leadership experience, to support the growth of the IBC Network. I feel honoured to have been offered the role of Charity Ambassador and am privileged to work alongside others within this wonderful charity. 

Fundraising Assistant

Currently work for Promega UK, a biotechnology company that provides tools for life science researchers working in all laboratories (academic, government, pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotech). Originally trained as a scientist, I moved into technical sales in 2008.  Since then I have been at this intersection of research and commercial partnerships to support innovation across all disease areas.  Supporting scientists in developing and enhancing cancer therapies and diagnostics has remained a strong focus throughout this time.

In my spare time, my husband and two teenage boys keep me busy and entertained! In the gaps, I love to train (it keeps me sane), play rugby (with a fierce group of amazing women who remind me to stay young at heart), as well as dedicate time to volunteer for IBCN UK. Volunteering gives me the chance to engage meaningfully with real-world needs in an area that resonates deeply. I have had the pleasure of connecting with others from different backgrounds and walks of life who inspire me to try more and be more.  I hope that the experiences and insights I’ve gathered over the years can be shared in ways that are both relevant and helpful.  I’m proud to support the IBC Network UK’s mission to raise awareness and improve outcomes for those affected by Inflammatory Breast Cancer in any way I can.

Policy Assistant

Despite progress in cancer survival, inflammatory breast cancer remains aggressive and under-recognised. I'm inspired by the charity's work and I hope to help improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for those affected by this deadly cancer.

Social Media Assistant

I work as an administrator in insurance. I have a BA History from Cardiff University and an MPhil from the University of Cambridge.

I have many year of experience creating social media content and digital art and I wanted to use these skills for a cause I care about and because I lost my aunty to IBC when I was a teenage, IBCN UK seemed like a perfect choice for me to volunteer for.

I volunteer because I want to raise awareness about IBC. As a British-Pakistani, I’m especially passionate about spreading awareness of IBC in Muslim and BAME communities, where diagnosis rates are often lower.

Fundraising Support Assistant

I’m 62 and live in Devon with my husband and our four wonderful (and a bit crazy!) rescue dogs. I currently work as an Oncology Support Worker at Torbay Hospital, a role I absolutely love. Before this, I spent 22 years with British Airways, then moved into pharmacy when we relocated to Devon. I qualified as a pharmacy technician, but shortly after finishing my training, my world turned upside down when I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) in early 2016.

Initially, my lump was dismissed as an infection or a fatty lump, but after noticing a rash and swelling, I trusted my instincts and, sadly, my self-diagnosis of IBC was confirmed. I found the IBC support group on Facebook early on, and even before my official diagnosis, their strength and solidarity were a lifeline. Caroline and the incredible community have been my rock through it all.

The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK is a cause very close to my heart. Seeing firsthand how underfunded IBC research is—especially with no dedicated government or major charity funding—motivated me to help. I’ve been fundraising for nearly 8 years, running the charity’s lottery bonus ball, raising  £16,349 and counting. I've also done skydives, a wing walk, raffles, and even organised holiday cottage draws—anything to support this vital work.

Fundraising can be as simple or as daring as you like, from bake sales to marathons, or, if you’re like me, you might prefer falling out of planes attached to a big hunky man! Every effort counts, and every penny makes a difference.

When I’m not fundraising, you’ll find me supporting animal charities, running local and online dog shows, or visiting animal shelters abroad. I’m so thankful to still be going strong and truly believe that giving back—whether to people or animals—is the best way to honour the support I’ve received.