When 18-year-old Emily was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, doctors reassured her it was a “good cancer”—one with a higher chance of successful treatment. But Emily’s life was tragically cut short due to the devastating side effects of her treatment.
Her mother, Donna Dunn from Cwmbran, Torfaen, is now speaking out about the gaps in support for blood cancer patients in Wales. Donna’s grief is compounded by the fact that Emily, a bright A-grade student with dreams of a future in medicine, was let down by an overstretched healthcare system. Despite initially receiving treatment in Cardiff, Emily’s deteriorating condition required more specialist care in Bristol. Sadly, she became too unwell to make the journey, and she died in 2016.
Dr. Ceri Bygrave, a consultant haematologist at Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales, highlights the “crumbling NHS infrastructure,” inadequate IT systems, and an ageing specialist workforce as key issues plaguing blood cancer treatment in Wales. According to Dr. Bygrave, the Welsh healthcare system is on the brink, with the number of haematology consultants set to drop significantly by 2032 due to retirements, without enough trainees to fill the gap.
Blood Cancer UK, a leading charity, has criticized the UK’s blood cancer survival rates, noting that they lag behind those of similar nations. The situation in Wales is especially dire, with patient care falling far behind other regions in England. The charity has called for urgent action, including increased investment in the blood cancer workforce, improved early diagnosis initiatives, and reduced barriers to accessing care.
A Welsh government spokesperson acknowledged the challenges but emphasized ongoing investments in the haematology workforce, citing a 20% increase in consultants and a 56% increase in specialty doctors over the past decade. However, for families like Donna’s, these assurances come too late.
As Donna Dunn reflects on her daughter’s death, she speaks of grief that “doesn’t get any easier, it just changes.” Her plea is for the system to improve, so no other family has to endure the heartbreak she has faced.