Making things happen – Geraldine’s Cancer Clinical Trials Centre story

Geraldine Wilson, Research Matron at Sheffield’s Cancer Clinical Trials Centre (CCTC), is among the seven research nurse posts which our supporters help to fund.

Our relationship with the Cancer Clinical Trials Centre dates back to 1999, when the centre opened with help from significant charitable funding. It has since become a key facility in the UK for optimising novel treatments and experimental cancer research.

We recently announced a new round of more than £278,000 of funding until at least March 2024 to renew our commitment to supporting the CCTC and its research nurses.

Research Matron Geraldine has lived and breathed clinical trials for the last 16 years. She has worked at the CCTC as a research nurse and as team lead for rare tumours and lung cancer, before taking on the role of Research Matron a year ago.

Each day, she sees the difference which clinical trials have on the lives of people going through cancer in our region.

In her role, Geraldine provides leadership for the centre’s clinical team – ensuring accuracy, patient safety and precision of her team’s work. She is responsible for the day-to-day delivery of trials at the centre, working with stakeholders at Weston Park and the Royal Hallamshire Hospital to ‘make things happen’.

“I firmly believe that the clinical research trials of today are tomorrow’s future treatment and care,” said Geraldine.

“It is imperative to continue to do research in cancer. Over the years, trial treatments have given hope to patients I have supported and looked after, during what is a very difficult time in their lives.

“It is a privilege to be involved in cutting-edge research which is constantly evolving, and to see how my involvement makes a real difference.”

Geraldine finds herself ‘thrilled’ to be in a position where she can positively help influence cancer research and patients’ clinical care.

“My passion for cancer research and patient care is immense,” said Geraldine.

“As Research Matron for the CCTC, I’m also passionate about staff education and development. Research nursing is a vital area where our nurses and clinical staff do such important work, and work to such high standards.

“I am so proud of each and every one of our team, and I want to strive to continue helping advance our research nurses and clinical staff, so that we can continue to give high-quality care to our patients, who are the very reason we strive for the best at the CCTC.”

Since she took on the role of Research Matron at the CCTC, Geraldine’s focus has been increasingly on ensuring that staff and patients are supported.

Geraldine said: “It’s great, because we’re aiming to give innovative treatments and offering them at the point where things can make a difference and help change lives. It’s fantastic.

“It’s really important to be able to make things happen for our patients. The management team and staff at the trials centre are all incredible in the work that they do in clinical trials, from initial trial set-up to treatment and follow-up care.

“New trials are opening all the time at the CCTC – for example a project, which has just opened, with the bladder cancer and urology team at the Hallamshire which will aim to detect bladder cancer at an earlier stage.

“I work with wonderful people, both within my team and through our partners, and we’re so grateful for the work Weston Park Cancer Charity does in supporting us.”

In addition to Geraldine’s role as Research Matron, the posts supported by our latest grant are a breast research nurse, urology research nurse, gastrointestinal research nurse, lung research nurse, haemato-oncology research nurse, rare tumours nurse.

Help us support clinical trials and research this Christmas by donating online, entering its Grand Christmas Draw, giving a gift to the Charity’s Christmas Star Appeal, or by making a purchase from its online shop here: https://www.westonpark.org.uk/christmas.