Going extra mile on a life-saving journey

But the 53-year-old has put her determination to raise more than £8,000 for charity down to the support of consultant breast surgeon Jane Clarke.

And after more than 12 years of receiving “extraordinary” care from the surgeon, Miss Willcock said she would be “elated” if Miss Clarke won our Hospital Heroes award.

Miss Willcock, from Denchworth, near Wantage, said: “When I saw the opportunity to nominate somebody, it was important to me to flag up there was this woman out there in the health service.

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“I have never met such an exceptional person I think in my life. She is a completely exceptional human being. She not only cared for me but she cared for my family and friends, giving then as much attention as me.

“I would be absolutely elated to know that there was some recognition for a job well done.”

Miss Clarke diagnosed Miss Willcock with breast cancer in December 2012 after she was sent to the Churchill Hospital when she discovered a lump on her breast.

On New Year’s Eve she then had surgery to remove about one third of her breast before starting a five-week course of 30 radiotherapy sessions.

Since then, Miss Willcock has returned to the Headington Hospital on a number of occasions to have non-cancerous lumps removed by Miss Clarke.

But the director of Henley-based technology company IndiCater said she is able to speak so optimistically about her “harrowing” ordeal after years of support and undivided care.

Miss Willcock said in the years since her cancer diagnosis she took on the London Marathon and supported women experiencing similar ordeals with informal befriending sessions.

She added: “The whole experience left me feeling positive not negative. Not only did I meet some incredible people like Jane but it made me think about others and how to behave with other people.

“In every case when I have spoken to someone in Oxfordshire where they have had Jane as a consultant, they have had exactly the same experience as I had. At the time you think it’s just you but then you find out that’s the way she behaves with everybody.”

Miss Clarke, 58, who is also based at the John Radcliffe Hospital, has been supporting women for more than 20 years.

The mother-of-two from Headington said: ““When you get a card or a call of appreciation it really reminds you why you’re doing what you do and this was better than that. The diagnosis of breast cancer is the diagnosis that every women fears, so I feel genuinely sorry and sympathetic for them.

“I just really want to make it as easy as I can for them.”

Cooking up a surprise

A CHEF was left pleasantly surprised when the hospital teams that helped him to battle kidney failure were shortlisted for our Hospital Heroes award.

Kevin Beach, from Bicester, was handed a lifeline when partner-of-five-years Karen Gomme saved his life by donating her kidney.

Chef Kevin Beach 

He decided to nominate renal and transplant care teams based at the Churchill Hospital after the life-changing support they provided to the pair.

Mr Beach, 44, said: “It was a nice surprise.

“I think some people can be so critical of the health service in general but I think once you experience what Karen and I have been through, you think, ‘what are people moaning about?’

“We should be proud of the health service that we have got.”

Mr Beach had been feeling lethargic and struggling to keep down food and drink when his GP sent him to the Headington hospital back in July 2012.

During the 10-day visit to the hospital, he was diagnosed with kidney failure after undergoing a biopsy and various blood tests.

Within months he was placed on the National Kidney Registry after his kidney function began to rapidly deteriorate.

But Ms Gomme and her 26-year-old daughter Laura immediately offered to be donors.

Mr Beach’s life was then transformed in September 2013 after mother-of-two Ms Gomme was found to be a match and the pair underwent successful transplant surgery.

He said: “You cannot imagine what the last two years have been like for me, especially with a loved one giving you a kidney.

“It’s still hard to comprehend now.

“I can never repay Karen for what she has done.

“I have had a second chance so we just try to make the most of it. It does put life into perspective.”

Front centre, Matron for Renal Transplant and Urology Jenny Hayes, with, from left, Sandra Dix, Nicola Douglas, Simone Empson, Michael Kensington, Tara McGee, Nicola Hayward and Clare Fisher                  

But Mr Beach said the pair were supported throughout their ordeal by all hospital employees including medics, caretakers, catering staff and receptionists.

He added: “It was everybody from the start of the process to the end. They cannot have done any more.

“It’s like a family. Everybody has played their part.

“It’s for everyone and anyone that has come into contact with me and Karen in the last two years.

“This is a big thank you.

“They just need to keep doing what they are doing.

“They are a phone call away. Nothing is a problem for them and it’s a comfort knowing that.”

Despite having to attend hospital appointments every two months, Mr Beach said that he is fighting fit now.

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