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NHS Champions: Mother's praise for 'fantastic' radiographer
Sophie Goodchild9 Sep 2008
Lisa Collins, 16, was diagnosed with a lifethreatening tumour only two years after helping her mother Jill to beat breast cancer.
The teenager from west London was found in March to have Hodgkin's lymphoma, a rare disease which causes glands in the neck to swell up.
It is treated with radiotherapy in which the X-rays used to blast the cancer cells have to strike within three millimetres of their target.
Patients like Lisa have to wear a mask specially moulded to their face and shoulders so they do not move during treatment.
Jill Collins, 47, said her daughter was so terrified of wearing the mask she would not have gone ahead with the treatment without the support of radiographer Julia Solano at University College London Hospital. Ms Solano's dedication has led to her being nominated in our NHS champion awards.
Mrs Collins said: "Lisa is my only child and you can't bear to see your own child suffer. She was screaming out in fear and was ready to get up and go. But Julia was completely fantastic. If she hadn't been there Lisa would have refused the treatment. She managed to calm both of us down and now Lisa is doing really well. Thanks to her the experience has been bearable."
Mrs Collins, who works for delivery firm DHL, added: "Lisa used to be terrified of needles and I used to have trouble getting her to the dentist. But she has been so brave and just gets on with it now." Lisa is now making a good recovery.
Radiography manager Ms Solano has spent 25 years in UCLH's cancer treatment department and has received numerous letters from patients and their families praising her work and the staff in her team. Colleagues describe
her as someone who approaches her work with great enthusiasm and her bubbly personality rubs off on those around her. She will always "go the extra mile".
It is this type of dedication the Evening Standard and leading thinktank The King's Fund is celebrating through the NHS Champions awards.
These awards celebrate the achievements of London nurses, doctors, dentists, porters and other healthcare staff who go beyond the call of duty to help patients.
NOMINATE YOUR NHS CHAMPION
The NHS Champions awards are back - to pay tribute to London's dedicated healthcare professionals. They honour the courage, hard work and sacrifice of people who rarely get celebrated within the health service.
Independent think-tank The King's Fund is running the awards in association with the evening Standard and NHS London to mark the 60th anniversary of the NHS. From paramedics to hospital porters, from ward sisters to consultants, these are the healthcare professionals who work untiringly on our behalf.
Many have risked their lives in dangerous situations such as the London bombings or provided comfort to seriously injured accident victims. You can help our judges decide the winners by nominating the staff you believe are the most deserving. Every eligible nominee will receive a certificate from The King's Fund and the evening Standard and shortlisted individuals will be invited to an awards ceremony in early December. The six finalists will all receive a special trophy from a distinguished panel of judges. Panel members include the BBC's George Alagiah and dotcom entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox who describe their lifesaving NHS experiences here.
Do you know an NHS champion? If so, this is your chance to give them the credit they deserve.
To make a nomination log on to www.nhschampions.org.uk
Or print off and send the form via Freepost to: NHS Champions, The King's Fund, Freepost 23 Ke3007, 11-13 Cavendish Square, London W1e 0AX.
The closing date for nominations is 16 October.
