By the EBMT Nurses Group: Michelle Kenyon, Hilda Mekelenkamp, Elin Öfverberg
The new World Cancer Day campaign ‘united by unique’ brings a welcome spotlight to the individual needs of people with cancer. As nurses working in the field of Haematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Cell Therapy, we are privileged to care for people facing an incredibly challenging and vulnerable time in their lives.
Together with their families and loved ones, our patients have a unique experience – for them it is the only experience of its kind, and indeed the only experience that matters. We, HCT and CT nurses throughout Europe and beyond, are united by our shared goal to place our patient at the very heart of the care that we deliver but this can only be achieved by understanding their unique needs, unique perspectives and truly listening to their unique story.
The patient story, needs, perspective and experience is rich and vital information – in the world of HCT and CT, where treatment is complex, side-effects are challenging and the outcome uncertain, our patients can feel overwhelmed by the ordeal of treatment and recovery. The ability to hear the voice of our unique patient, embrace difference, ensure everyone is seen for who they are and have access to the care they need is essential.
In 2025, it is time to look beyond the label of a disease; to change the narrative and see the person before the patient. Cancer is personal, the experience is unique and to achieve care in HCT and CT that enables people to lead better lives and really makes a difference, we need to drive forward a person-centred approach that considers the individual holistically and values their uniqueness. We are EBMT and we are United by Unique!