An interview with the Hope Nurses 2026/27
Thanks to people like you, Hope Against Cancer is proud to support two clinical nurses at the Hope Cancer Trials Centre. These nurses are at the heart of the facility, supporting patients, helping to administer trials and much more.
Chosen internally, the title of Hope Nurse rotates yearly among the staff.
The Hope Nurses for 2026/27 are Chrissie and Jitty and they describe their position as the best job ever!
In everything we discussed it was completely apparent that the patients are always at the forefront of their minds and at the absolute centre of their day.
They agreed completely with last year’s Hope nurse’s assessment that unpredictable is how they would describe a typical day. They have their plan, but need to be ready for whatever comes through the door.
We asked them about common questions that patients ask when they join a trial and were told that these usually revolve around looking for reassurance and understanding expectations with words like ‘am I a guinea pig’? Or ‘what does being on a trial actually mean’?
These questions are answered calmly and confidently, not just from the nurse’s experiences but from their comprehensive understanding of the trial itself. The nurses are an important part of the recruitment phase of each trial and so have an in-depth knowledge of the treatment and it’s aims.
Beyond patient care, one of their favourite things is to be part of the clinical trials process and to watch a treatment transition from trial to become standard NHS practise.
Chrissie mentioned Herceptin as an example she remembers from her early career. It is a drug to treat breast cancer with subcutaneous injections without the need for a canula.
They truly appreciate being part of the journey of new treatments for cancer.
We asked if there is anything that happens behind the scenes that people might not realise.
The answer was the mundane but extraordinarily important aspects of organisation, planning and preparation.
Without this incredible attention to detail, no trial would even occur. The complexity hidden in a Hope nurse’s everyday is huge, and yet, they make it look easy, always smiling and always happy to help.
They told us that they are so proud to work as part of the Hope Cancer Trials Centre team, and feel lucky to be there alongside some amazing people in a well settled and harmonious environment.
The long-term knowledge and relationships they are able to build, helps not only the everyday running of the Centre but has made the facility well known for it’s exceptional and meticulous care.
It is thanks to this team and their stellar reputation for excellence that people with cancer, both from our area and beyond, contact the group seeking information and potential admittance onto a trial.
Hope Against Cancer is thrilled that our supporters make it possible to support such outstanding people which benefits everyone who steps through the door at the Hope Cancer Trials Centre.
If you would like to support the Hope Nurses, please donate today
John Nellis
Content and Communications Officer, Hope Against Cancer
john@hopeagainstcancer.org.uk
