Board of Trustees

Chairperson

I am currently based in Worcestershire with my partner, a big dog, a little dog, a cat, three house bunnies and the occasional tortoise! When I am not vacuuming, I work in pharmacovigilance project management; monitoring product safety, supporting clinical research and tweaking processes to maintain regulatory compliance. I am motivated that this work may potentially influence the availability of life extending therapies for others through the ongoing monitoring of established and newly licensed products, often initially in unapproved indications. I am relatively new to the charity, but hopeful that my professional skills and contacts will prove useful in raising the profile of inflammatory breast cancer through medical education and within the pharmaceutical community.

In my spare time I swim (slowly), weed my lockdown garden (in vain), get far too excited about my Wordle score and am at my happiest up a hill with big dog.

Secretary

I first heard of IBC and the work of IBC Network UK after one of my oldest friends was diagnosed with IBC back in 2016. Since then, I have been working to raise funds for the charity and am honoured to be appointed a Trustee and Secretary. A lawyer by training, I now act as the COO of a financial services firm based in Zurich, Switzerland and I hope to put my project management skills to great use in helping the charity develop and continue to provide crucial support to people like my friend and to push research into this rare form of breast cancer.

Born in London I have been fortunate to live abroad several times including in New York, Munich and Sydney but the UK will always be home. I am married to a man I met on the side of a wintry mountain in Wales and the outdoors continues to be a source of pleasure and enjoyment. I have undertaken a number of long-distance hikes for charity at home and abroad, including skiing to the South Pole for 53 days back in 2019/20 to raise funds for IBC Network UK.

Scientific Advisor

I have spent over 25 years working in cancer treatment and research. I trained as clinical scientist (medical physics) in London with the National Health Service (NHS) before working for a number of years as a clinical radiotherapy physicist in both the UK and Canada. I then spent a couple of years involved in radiobiological research at the renowned Gray Laboratory Cancer Research Trust in the UK.

In 2002 I joined Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) in California to specialise in proton beam therapy (PBT) – an advanced form of radiotherapy. LLUMC was the world’s first hospital-based PBT facility. In 2005 I joined the world-leading team at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to develop and advance PBT. I returned to London in 2013 to take leadership roles in both the development of a national PBT service for the NHS and the development of translational PBT physics research. I am currently Associate Professor of Proton Therapy and Research Lead for Translational Proton Therapy Physics at University College London.

Throughout my career I have been involved in clinical practice, research, and education. My research has focused on the development of PBT techniques to improve outcomes for adult and paediatric cancer patients with a number of indications, including inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). I have co-authored approximately 40 peer-reviewed papers, 100 conference papers, and five textbook chapters in the field of proton therapy. I am a Chartered Physicist, a Chartered Scientist, Associate Editor of the British Journal of Radiology, and a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine.

I divide my time between London and Houston, Texas where I live with my wife, Wendy Woodward, a radiation oncologist and world-renowned leading expert in IBC. I have three children, Alex, Lara, and Siona.

Fundraising Manager

Back in October 2022, at the age of 32, I received the diagnosis of Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). It all began with the classic symptoms and an ever-growing boob. I started chemotherapy in November after a whirlwind of fertility preservation, scans and appointment. Then Mastectomy in March 2023 and completed radiotherapy in June 2023. The medical journey isn’t over, I am currently still receiving treatment with Kadcyla.

I live in Lancashire with my husband Jack and our border collie Gem. We enjoy traveling in our campervan, playing about on the paddleboard and hiking up a hill or two. I normally enjoy trail running and I have tried to keep active with Gem throughout my treatment. I have never been one for sitting down on the sofa and when I got diagnosed organised and got married in 6 weeks.

So, why am I interested in the role of fundraising assistant? I was inspired to apply for the role of fundraising assistant after I met some amazing individuals in Birmingham and completing the Yorkshire three peaks in September 2023. Showing how much a difference fundraising can make to this small charity, setting a goal and just giving it a go.

With a background as a General Practitioner (GP), I am very much looking forward to helping the charity.

Treasurer

My introduction to the valuable work of The IBC Network UK came through my own personal journey with Stage 3 IBC. The charity's support network supported me through some "interesting" times and it feels right to use my professional skills to support its ongoing strategic development. I am particularly passionate about advocacy and awareness raising.

Professionally, I have served the charity sector for over 30 years, specialising in strategic organisational planning, finance and governance support. I am a Chartered Accountant by background, working initially, as a charities audit partner in professional practice and for the last 12 years as a Finance and HR Director within national charities. Outside of work, I have been privileged to have undertaken a variety of trustee roles over the years in organisations  of all sizes and hope to bring this experience to The IBC Network UK.

My family and I spend our time between the West Midlands and responding to the call of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park's mountains, together with getting plenty of sea air!

Assistant Treasurer

Diagnosed with IBC in May 2022 at the age of 27 a complete surprise and treatment included chemo, double mastectomy and radio and finally ringing the bell in March this year.

I have found an incredible amount of support from the IBC network and wish to give back.

Outside of IBC, I am studying accounting at university and enjoy floristry, embroidery and cycling.