E166: Sharon and Chris Curtis - Head and Neck Cancer, Carers and the Swallow’s Charity
Trigger Warning: This episode discusses cancer, suicide, side effects and recurrence.
Episode 166: Part of the living with and beyond cancer series (Part52).
Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Sharon and Chris Curtis from the Swallow’s Charity.
Chris is the founder of the charity and former chairman for 7 years, in 2020 he was appointed as Chief Executive Officer. Chris was diagnosed with Cancer at the base of his tongue on Friday, 13th May 2011 and went through Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, two neck dissections and fed through a feeding peg for several years. During his treatment he found times he wanted to speak to someone who was going through what he was to ask questions or just for someone to listen, in his words “not just 9am to 5pm or a night a month but when I needed it!”.
As Chris started to recover, he decided to start a local group of likeminded people to solve his problems of someone to talk to. Within 8 months he took the group to full charity status on the 16th November 2012 and started to build his vision of getting help and support to patients & caregivers 24/7 and at the point they required to support. Chris has now taken the charity to an international support and awareness group supporting over 7000 people over the years and working out of hospitals across the globe.
When Sharon’s husband was diagnosed with throat cancer, she never realised how much her life was going to change and how this would affect her role within their relationship. Sharon said, “No longer could I continue as just a wife and a mother, but I became the bread winner, the person who put the bins out, the odd job person but more importantly I became a nurse, unfortunately a role I have never wanted to play. You are on the same cancer journey as the patient but somehow, I started to feel that I was on a different path, mentally, physically, and emotionally.”
Sharon’s background is in Travel, Local Council and for the past 10 years a PA at Director level, along with this has have for some time now been very involved in the carers side of The Swallows Head & Neck Cancer Support Group. She realised that other carers have been going through similar changes in their lives with little or no support. As such Sharon uses her work & life skills to take on the challenge of by becoming a Carer Advocate and to get the Carers Voice heard to ensure that they get what they need to help them on their journey.
Sharon joined the Swallows Team as Charity Administrative Manager and now holds all the logistics and management of the charity.
This episode is a deep dive into Chris’ journey from diagnosis to living with and beyond cancer, the Swallow’s charity and Sharon’s role as carer for Chris.
CPD Reflection Points:
- Read about the symptoms of head and neck cancer: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/head-and-neck-cancer/signs-and-symptoms-of-head-and-neck-cancer
- Look at the Swallows Charity website: https://theswallows.org.uk/
- Reflect on Chris’ diagnosis and treatment for cancer.
- Consider how you could improve the support for carers within your professional practice.
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Links from the Episode:
- The Swallow’s Charity: https://theswallows.org.uk/
- The Swallow’s Charity restaurant card: https://theswallows.org.uk/support/services/restaurant-card/
- The Swallow’s Charity carers: https://theswallows.org.uk/support/caregivers/
- Oracle Head and Neck Cancer UK: https://oraclehnc.org.uk/
- Maggie’s Charity Support for Friends and Family: https://www.maggies.org/cancer-support/our-support/friends-and-family/
- ESMO 2022 | The aims of The Swallows Head & Neck Cancer Support Charity: https://www.vjoncology.com/video/moyqkwnegku-the-aims-of-the-swallows-head-neck-cancer-support-charity/
- Leo Cancer Care and the Swallow’s Charity: https://leocancercare.com/news-and-events/press-release/leo-cancer-care-and-the-swallows-head-neck-cancer-charity-team-up-to-improve-future-radiotherapy-experience/
- Samaritans Charity: https://www.samaritans.org/
- Mind Charity: https://www.mind.org.uk/
- Head and Neck Cancer Neck Dissection: https://www.entuk.org/patients/conditions/23/neck_dissection/
Research links from the Episode:
- Experiences and Needs of Carers of Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review
- Family Caregivers' Experiences of Caring for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Metasynthesis of Qualitative Studies
Rad Chat Links:
Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.