Dr. Cathy Hughes, Chair of Ovacome

Cathy was one of the first specialist nurses in gynaecological cancer in the UK. Having read an article about Ovacome in a Good Housekeeping magazine, Cathy soon became involved with the charity, leading to her becoming an Ovacome trustee. Cathy hopes to bring to the charity the voice of the many people she has known with ovarian cancer and an improved understanding of healthcare delivery.

.

.

Paul McKew, Treasurer

Paul has a wealth of commercial, financial and accounting experience in businesses across a range of industries. And he says he has a personal interest in wanting to help support people with ovarian cancer.

Paul lost his wife Kerry to ovarian cancer in 2017, a life changing event which prompted him to switch from his career as a chartered accountant and also to become an ambassador at Cancer Research UK. 

 .

.

Professor Sean Kehoe (FRCOG, MA, MD, DCH, MB, BCh, BAO, BA), Head of Ovacome Expert Advisory Panel

Sean is the Head of Ovacome's Expert Advisory Panel. He is Professor of Gynaecological Cancer and Lead Clinician at the Oxford Gynaecological Centre. He is also a Senior Research Fellow at St Peters College, Oxford. Sean is a member of the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FIGO) Gynaecological Cancer Committee.

.

.

Adrian Dickinson

Adrian's wife Sarah was the founder of Ovacome, 23 years ago. Adrian's aim is to continue Sarah's legacy and improve the support for those touched by Ovarian Cancer, and hopes to bring both his personal experiences and experience in organisational design and innovation to the charity.

. 

.

Lesley Sage

Lesley was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in May 2011. During the rebuilding of life after a second major operation and dose-dense chemotherapy, she went to the London Marathon to support her son-in-law and there saw a runner in an Ovacome t-shirt. After attending the 2015 Members Day, she volunteered for STS and to be considered as a trustee. 

Lesley has an active interest in research and trials work for ovarian cancer and also sits as patient representative on her regional NHS Lymphoedema Steering Committee.

.

.

Marta Wojcik

Marta began her journey in finance in secondary school in Poland and led to her successfully completing an ACCA accountancy qualification in the UK. Whilst working for a commercial organisation was interesting, Marta always had a drive to do something different and more fulfilling.

After cancer treatment Marta took part in Touch of Teal Tea with Ovacome and soon after took the opportunity to become treasurer for the charity. Following two years as a treasurer Marta continued her journey as a trustee at Ovacome and a member of sub finance committee. As a trustee, Marta feels she has the opportunity to share her knowledge, skills and energy, allowing her to broaden her view of what she does and who she is.

he continued support of Ovacome charity has helped Marta navigate life after treatment. Since becoming a trustee of an ovarian cancer support charity close to her heart, Marta feels she is able to give something back. She hopes to continue to invest her time in helping to support Ovacome as a trustee.

.

.

Michelle Hill

Michelle works to support vulnerable adults, children and young people and their families to have better outcomes through her work in health and social care services. Through her contact with Ovacome, who provided her with support and information, she wanted to give back to the charity and is now proud to become a trustee. Michelle would like to influence the future of ovarian cancer care, enabling women and people born with ovaries to receive more personalised care based on the outcomes they want. She is keen that health inequalities are addressed; this includes ensuring better access to ovarian cancer information and support for people with a learning disability and those with autism.

.

.

Richard Riley

Richard worked for 39 years as a teacher in Small Heath, Birmingham. His wife Maxine was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013 and sadly passed away six years later. Following a conversation with Maxine's surgeon, the two had been made aware of Ovacome and contacted the support line, where they received support and encouragement. Maxine and Richard were instrumental in working with Ovacome to establish a base for the charity in the Midlands, in order to offer local support to those in the area. In 2019 Richard became an Ovacome ambassador and joined the trustee board in 2022. Richard is now a patient advocate for the West Midlands Cancer Alliance Expert Advisory Group for Gynaecology. In 2022, Richard was given the honour of carrying the Commonwealth Games baton because of his dedication to supporting Ovacome and for his work with a local hospice (pictured).

.

.

Samixa Shah

Samixa contacted Ovacome when she started chemotherapy after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012. She found the support from Ovacome to be very helpful and empowering. Samixa was one of the first members to be recruited to the Survivor Teaching Students programme and has continued to be part of this programme.

Samixa has been very passionate about raising awareness of ovarian cancer, especially within minority communities, to ensure people are diagnosed early enough to have successful treatment. She was a keynote speaker at the Tea with Ovacome Awareness Month event in 2015 and was a model for the charity fashion show at this same event in 2016. She approached BBC Asian Network and was interviewed in May 2015 to mark World Ovarian Cancer Day and had an article printed in the Asian Voice in March 2016. She has also been involved in raising awareness within other South Asian communities.

Samixa has decided to join Ovacome as a trustee because she believes that Ovacome looks after the wellbeing of anyone affected by ovarian cancer, including those from minority communities, and more importantly continues to look after them even after treatment has stopped and a person may have no evidence of disease. She therefore wants to ensure that this continues and help improve the lives of anyone affected by ovarian cancer.

.

.

Victoria von Wachter

Victoria’s main areas of practice are employment and discrimination law. She has successfully represented clients in both the public and private sectors. Victoria is adept at handling complex and lengthy employment law cases with special expertise in all types of discrimination and whistle-blowing claims. 

.

.

Related