I cared for my husband, David, for just over nine years. David had Myeloma, a rare haematological cancer. The need for patient involvement in both trials and treatment became clear to us right at the beginning of his therapy. This led me, through the support group Myeloma UK, to become involved with patient and public involvement (PPI). My current roles include being a member of a PPI committee, set up by the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) called 'The Hub'; I am a PPI member of Clinical Translational Radiotherapy Group; a member of the Haematological Oncology Clinical Studies Group; and also of the Myeloma sub group. I belong to the Consumer Liaison Group, Strategic PPI Advice, Delivery and Evaluation panel (SPADE), am chairman of my GP practice patient group and hold a number of other PPI positions.

I live in the beautiful Peak District where I serve on the National Park Authority as Chair of Planning and am also Chair of my Parish Council.