We have just heard that Susan Moore, one of the founders of Hunts Community Cancer Network (HCCN) has died after many years of living with cancer.
We take a look at the local cancer charity she created and her personal commitment to cancer care.
Susan worked tirelessly to improve the wellbeing of cancer patients across Huntingdonshire, believing in part that it was the locality and the personal nature of the care that made the charity unique.
The foundation work to set up a local cancer care charity began in 2012 when she, working with Gini Melesi (our Head of Transformation) established a community-based nursing service for cancer patients. This exemplary service meant that it was possible for the HCCN nurses to visit people in their own homes, at their place of work or anywhere else that they chose. This meant that patients could be seen where they were comfortable and great relationships could be built.
HCCN has grown and there are now nine nurses working with them and many groups offering health and wellbeing support. COVID-19 has meant that these groups have had to meet virtually but have continued to support many people living with cancer to remain fit and active.
Susan and her co-founders believed in taking a holistic approach to cancer care and she based her approach on her own needs and experience, looking not just at clinical care but also at wellbeing, exercise, and nutrition. She also believed people should be given the information and means to remain in control of their own diagnosis.
She had a very warm and caring personality type, managing to remain upbeat and positive despite her own health challenges. Susan was passionate about helping people who had been diagnosed, bringing them together to support each other. She juggled a multitude of volunteers and programmes, coaching others and always looking for the next innovation.
Together with the HCCN nurses, the trustees, volunteers and activity leaders she has built a legacy that will be remembered and taken forward.
The Chair of our Patients Advisory Board, Marion Foreman, said: “I want to say a special ‘thank you’ to Susan for many reasons. I know, first-hand, what it was like to receive care from Susan. She totally understood what it was like to live with cancer; she never judged and she always listened.”
“With Gini, I was able to put on an exercise class for anyone and everyone who was diagnosed with cancer in our area. Together we built up the classes, we changed venues and we bought kit. There have been so many people who have benefitted from the vision of the HCCN trustees. So many people will remember Susan with fondness. I will remember her laugh – I will miss the cups of tea, the texts and the emails."
“I know that everyone in our exercise group – both those meeting this week and those who have been with us over the years will be sad that Susan has died and be so very glad that she lived and gave us all so much.”
