Update: Introducing Kira and Tess

Tell me a bit about yourself and your new role

Kira

Policy and public affairs lead, Scotland

"My role is to lead on the development and delivery of Breast Cancer Now’s policy and public affairs work in Scotland. I get to develop policy recommendations, for example on early diagnosis, treatment and secondary breast cancer. I also engage with key stakeholders, including Scottish politicians and the NHS, to explain our views on breast cancer policy. But to do so I need your help, through sharing experiences and providing evidence!

When I’m not working, you will usually find me up a one of Scotland’s 282 Munro’s - my friends and I have set ourselves the goal of bagging them all by the time we turn 30! If I’m not feeling too adventurous, I will usually be reading a book and spending time with my cats."

Tess

Policy and public affairs lead, Wales

"I’m a Welsh speaker, and I’m experienced at taking high-level advocacy right to the Senedd’s front door. Over the next year, I’m prioritising improving the uptake of routine breast screening, investigating the challenges of the cancer workforce in Wales, and raising the bar for those with secondary breast cancer.

I know Wales is a unique space with it’s own opportunities and challenges, and I’m committed to meeting these head on to ensure Breast Cancer Now can reach as many people affected by breast cancer in Wales as possible."

How do you hope to work with Voices in the next year?

Kira: 

As I settle into my role and start to develop our policy recommendations for Scotland, I hope to work with Voices to develop case studies to amplify real life experiences.

I’ll also be asking you to share your experiences of different breast cancer drugs which are being assessed by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) for use on the NHS in Scotland. We participate in their assessment, and by having stories of your experiences of the drug, this helps strengthen our contribution. Keep an eye out at the beginning of 2024!

Tess: 

I’ve already met with politicians and leadership of the breast screening programme, and I’m looking forward to following up with them to help improve the uptake of routine breast screening in Wales. We know screening is crucial for breast cancer to be found at the earliest stage. I want to make sure the programme doesn’t just recover from Covid-19, but improves.

I hope to work with Voices to ensure that in everything I’m doing, your priorities are coming through front and centre. I want to know that my work is addressing what's important to you. In the new year, I want to reach out to you to understand what your priorities are so we can address the most urgent challenges together.

What does involvement mean to you?

Kira:

For me, involvement is empowering people in the breast cancer community to use their own experiences to influence the design and delivery of policy. I want you your voices to be heard by policy makers so the changes that matter most to you are being implemented.

Tess:

To me, involvement means bringing everyone along with me. It means being accessible and available to talk, understanding your wants and needs by surveying and setting up focus or advisory groups (or by having a coffee and chat), as well as checking in to get your feedback on my work. I want to ensure I’m acting for everyone affected by breast cancer in Wales in the most effective and impactful way, and most importantly, in a way that puts you first.

Is there anything else you'd like to say?

Kira:

I'm always open for a conversation and look forward to working with you all to start making changes in Scotland. If you’d like to find out more about the ongoing policy and public affairs work, please get in touch via kira.mcdiarmid@breastcancernow.org.

Tess:

My background is in grassroots community work, so to me, the best part of my job is seeing people get connected and get involved in a campaign to create a real change and get stuff done. I hope in the coming months, I can involve you, and develop a programme of work that you feel engaged in and passionate about. If I haven’t done that, then I haven’t done my job! I want to hear from you, sp pelase feel free to contact me at tessa.marshall@breastcancernow.org.