We are The Christie magazine July 2025 Staff edition

News in brief

Professor Joe Rafferty appointed Chair of The Christie Professor Joe Rafferty has been appointed as our new Chair at The Christie. Joe officially took up the role on 1 May 2025, succeeding Edward Astle, who stepped down earlier this year for personal reasons. Joe brings over two decades of NHS leadership experience, including most recently 12 years as the Chief Executive of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. His career has spanned roles in performance, commissioning, and strategy, as well as leading national initiatives such as the Zero Suicide Alliance UK and the NIHR Mental Health Mission. Joe began his career as a researcher, which included working at the former Paterson Institute, before making the move into NHS management.

News in brief

UK first in proton beam therapy David Iddiols, 70, became the first UK patient with a pacemaker to receive proton beam therapy – a type of radiotherapy – thanks to a new cardiac device service at The Christie. Diagnosed with a rare skull chordoma, David was initially turned down for NHS proton beam therapy due to the risks the treatment posed to the operation of his pacemaker. He began considering paying for treatment abroad. With the launch of the cardiac device service in 2023, The Christie was able to treat David. “The team at The Christie were first class,” said David. “I felt safe with them.” The new service enables patients with cardiac devices to safely undergo cancer treatments at The Christie, including radiotherapy, surgery, and MRI scans. Over 180 patients have already benefited.

Christie research featured at global cancer conference Researchers fromManchester played a key role at this year’s American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, the world’s largest cancer conference. Around 30 pieces of research involving Christie experts were presented at the event, which brings together leading voices from across global cancer care. Among the highlights, Dr Sacha Howell chaired a session on prevention and genetics. He also discussed the BCAN-RAY study, a major investigation into breast cancer risk in younger women without a family history, with the media. Final-year medical student, Jack Atherton, presented research on socio-demographic factors affecting clinical trial participation in the UK, while Professor Martin McCabe shared the latest results from the rEECur trial into treatment for Ewing sarcoma.

Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence status awarded again The joint neuro-oncology service delivered by The Christie and Salford Royal Hospital, has been named a Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence for the second time for the outstanding care we provide for brain and spinal tumour patients. It was praised for its compassionate patient-centred philosophy, innovative rehabilitation approach, and strong research links. “At the toughest time of my life, the care I received was second to none,” said patient Sarah Scanlan. The designation reflects The Christie’s leadership in cutting-edge treatments and innovations including access to clinical trials and proton beam therapy, a type of radiotherapy. The service is supported by a multidisciplinary team providing holistic, integrated care, with surgery at Salford and radiotherapy and/ or chemotherapy at The Christie.

Corinne Faivre-Finn receives prestigious ESTRO award

Congratulations to Professor Corinne Faivre-Finn, Consultant Oncologist, who received the prestigious Breur Award at this year’s European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) Congress in Vienna. The award is ESTRO’s gold medal and highest honour, recognising Corinne’s outstanding contribution to the advancement of

radiotherapy in Europe. “This award is deeply personal. It represents a journey that has been anything but linear, full of challenges and perseverance, but ultimately incredibly rewarding,” she says.

If you’d like to read more about these stories, please visit: christie.nhs.uk/news

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