Why I Wear Purple: Marie's Story
Story
In Memory
Caregivers/Families
Signs & Symptoms
Awareness & Advocacy
There are voices in the healthcare system we rarely hear from, those working behind the scenes, shoulder to shoulder with people impacted by some of the most challenging diseases of our time. Throughout November, World Pancreatic Cancer Month, and beyond, we’re sharing those perspectives as a way to show real insight, grit and care. This is Vicky's story.
A career forged through curiosity and care
Vicky didn’t follow a straight line into nursing. Her early career was a patchwork of caring roles, working in palliative care units, supporting patient transport, even spending time as part of a UK holiday entertainment team. She explored, travelled, and tried different paths. But a clear theme began to emerge.
I always knew I wanted to work with people. To care and be out in the world. Nursing became the natural choice.
Now a Clinical Nurse Consultant and Cancer Care Coordinator for hepatobiliary and gynaecological cancers, Vicky works at the interface of science and compassion, supporting people through some of the most difficult chapters of their lives.
An unexpected connection to pancreatic cancer
Vicky didn’t set out with a personal tie to pancreatic cancer. But through her role, that connection grew quickly and deeply.
Being in the privileged position to support people living with the disease, I’ve developed a deep connection and understanding
Working closely with individuals and families affected by this disease has shaped the way she sees her role. She’s not just coordinating care; she’s holding space for people at a time of immense vulnerability.
Knowledge, compassion and constant learning
To support people facing pancreatic cancer, Vicky brings both heart and clinical acumen.
It’s essential to understand the disease, how the pancreas works, what the different tumour types are, what treatments are available, but also to listen.
The science matters. So does staying up to date with evidence, treatment developments and the evolving diagnostic landscape. But at the heart of it all is something simpler: showing up for people, day in and day out.
Wearing purple for progress
During November and December, Vicky will be wearing purple scrubs for pancreatic cancer awareness. It's not just a gesture, it’s a statement.
It’s about sparking conversations. Drawing attention to the disease. And hopefully, encouraging support for research and services that can change lives.
It’s a way of saying: this matters, these lives matter, and this disease deserves more focus than it currently receives.
A hope rooted in real change
Vicky’s hope for the future isn’t abstract. It’s grounded in the real, tangible steps that could shift outcomes: more visibility, increased funding, more clinical trials, and access to emerging technologies like genomic profiling and targeted therapies.
We’re starting to see progress, but there’s still a long way to go.
She recently connected with Pankind, recognising the organisation as a valuable resource for people affected by pancreatic cancer, and learning about initiatives like the Support Navigator role, a program designed to guide people through an often-confusing system with empathy and clarity.
Vicky’s ask: Every Action Matters
Vicky’s call to action is simple but powerful.
Wear purple, share a story, donate if you can. Get involved in any way that feels right to you. Every voice raised and every dollar donated can help shift what’s possible for people diagnosed with this disease.
At Pankind, we know that meaningful change starts when more of us understand what’s truly at stake. And stories like Vicky’s remind us: care is not just clinical. It’s human. It’s courageous. And it’s worth listening to.
