A Bury nurse living with advanced womb cancer says receiving an MBE for services to healthcare is “an honour and a privilege".

Helen Hyndman, 49, has worked for gynaecological research charity The Eve Appeal since November 2021.

She was named on the 2024 New Year’s Honours List for her work running the charity’s Ask Eve service, which provides advice and support for those affected by conditions such as cancer.

The former assistant director of nursing at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust received her MBE at a ceremony at Windsor Castle in April and was presented the award by Princess Anne.

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Helen began working for The Eve Appeal after being diagnosed with stage four womb cancer.

The service aims to provide information and support around gynaecological conditions and empower women to access the health care services they need.

Helen said: “I am so proud to be a nurse and work for The Eve Appeal where we are committed to raising awareness and funding research for the prevention and earlier diagnosis of all five gynaecological cancers.

“To be recognised for the work I do, while living with advanced womb cancer, is a great honour and privilege.

"To receive my MBE from the Princess Royal and have the opportunity to chat to her about our work, was a surreal and humbling experience.”

Speaking to the Bury Times in January, the former St Gabriel's RC High School pupil said her own experiences of living with cancer has informed her work and helped her to support other woman going through the same thing.

She said:  “When I speak to ladies, it's always about them and their journey but having my nursing knowledge and having been through that from a personal perspective.

"It really helped me to empathise that little bit more about what they are experiencing.

“It really helps to for me to give them that information from a personal perspective and things you don’t always get told when you are a patient.”

Following the receipt of Helen’s award, chief executive of The Eve Appeal, Athena Lamnisos, said: “Our nurse information service is helping so many people who are worried about signs and symptoms.

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"It can only provide the excellent and much needed service it does with a brilliant team. It's such a proud and special moment to have Helen's work leading this service honoured in this way.

"Very proud of Team Eve, very proud of what we achieve and very, very proud of Helen and the way that she delivers a vital service.”

Ask Eve is The Eve Appeal’s free and confidential nurse information service. Anyone can get in touch for advice or information on their gynae health, or the health of a loved one, on nurse@erveappeal.org.uk or 0808 802 0019.

https://eveappeal.org.uk/supporting-you/ask-eve/

Visit eveappeal.org.uk for information on the five gynae cancers and their signs and symptoms: womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal.

To make a donation, please visit: https://donate.eveappeal.org.uk/