We are deeply saddened to hear that Jo Taylor, a tireless advocate and campaigner for metastatic breast cancer, died on Monday morning.
Jo was kind enough to share her story and be the keynote speaker at our Make it Public conference in 2022.
She talked passionately about patient involvement in clinical trials and how access to trials should be woven throughout treatment.
Her response to finding out about her cancer diagnosis is an inspiration to all of us. She wanted to use her experience to help others.
Jo founded After Breast Cancer Diagnosis, a website offering informed advice, peer support and signposting for those who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Alongside her lobbying and awareness raising work she also founded METUPUK, an advocacy and campaign group for metastatic breast cancer.
When introducing Jo at the conference back in 2022, our Chief Executive, Matt Westmore, described meeting her for the first time:
Matt Westmore, Chief Executive“Jo is one of those people who we are all very fortunate to have around.
“When people who take their own difficult, traumatic, challenging experiences where anyone would be completely forgiven and understood if they just focused on dealing with themselves and their families, but they don’t do that.
“They take their experience, share it and try to help others. That’s inspiring and humbling.”
On behalf of everyone at the Health Research Authority we would like to say thank you to Jo for sharing her story with us, and our thoughts go out to her husband Jeff, and two children, Regan and Faron.