Published on: 18 December 2024
A charity has marked its 25th anniversary by recognising the surgeon who sparked its existence when he asked a patient to help another through their cancer journey.
Mr Frank Stafford treated Kate Farnell MBE after she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer aged 42.
Now the Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust, set up by Kate, has celebrated the support of the Consultant Laryngologist and Head and Neck surgeon by presenting him with its Lifetime Award.
Kate had been diagnosed at Sunderland Royal Hospital. She was called by Mr Stafford to ask if she could chat to another patient who was facing a similar experience to her.
That request for help and the realisation more support was needed to help fight the isolation and learn about the disease led her to set up the charity. It has since helped thousands of others across the country.
It runs a dedicated helpline, supports email and telephone contact with group members to share experiences and runs a buddy scheme to help people through the stages of treatment.
It also offers up-to-date information about the disease and access to expert help.
It was given its name as the thyroid gland, which is at the front of the neck, is shaped like a butterfly.
Kate received her treatment at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital and later accepted an invitation by her oncologist to work in the thyroid cancer clinic, which she did on a voluntary basis for 20 years.
Mr Stafford, a trustee of the charity, was presented with his glass award ahead of the regular Multi-Discipline Team (MDT) meeting he and colleagues hold to discuss plans to help patients.
Mr Frank Stafford and Kate Farnell MBE with his award from the charity.
Mr Stafford said:
"I’m humbled and it’s a reflection of the success of the Butterfly charity and the work done by Kate to help the patients who require its invaluable support.
"I’m just glad to be able to do my job and help with that.
"It offers information and help to patients, who are very grateful. We can do so much to help them, but it can be very difficult for them following a diagnosis and they benefit so much from being able to speak to someone else about their experiences."
As part of his role with South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Mr Stafford has served as the new national clinical lead for ear, nose and throat (ENT) services with the NHS improvement programme Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT). This has helped drive forward work to support the recovery of planned care across the NHS in England.
Kate, now 64, was living in Fatfield in Washington when she was diagnosed. She is supported as the charity’s Chief Executive Officer by others on a voluntary basis, including those who have also had the disease or been closely involved in the care and support of someone who has.
This includes her husband Steven, also 64, who takes care of the administration tasks of the trust, which is based in Rowlands Gill.
In 2014, Kate was awarded an MBE by the then Prince Charles, now King Charles III, at Buckingham Palace in honour for services to Thyroid Cancer. She dedicated her MBE to everyone affected by the disease.
She said:
"A lump developed on the side of my neck overnight. When I was sent for an ultrasound, it took ages on the left-hand side and being a nurse, when I heard it was a tumour, I thought ‘Oh my God’.
"I was referred to Frank as my consultant and he explained I was in the right age group for this cancer and he was right.
"Frank has been a constant for the last 25 years. That is quite rare in itself and for a medic to dedicate themselves to something like for that time is to be commended.
"He has helped in so many ways."
More details about the charity can be found through its website: The Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust.
The Trust also hosts its own Cancer Information Hub, which can be found through the home page of it website: Cancer Information Hub
