World Cancer Day Spotlight: Two Inspiring Journeys at Southend Hospital's Cancer Centre
Every single day, hundreds of dedicated and compassionate staff members provide vital support to patients at Southend Hospital's cancer centre. This World Cancer Day, we turn our focus to just two of these remarkable individuals who are on the front lines in the fight against a disease that will affect one in two people during their lifetime. Both Fiona Wakeling and Chi Wai Tse, known as Beans, were inspired to pursue careers in cancer care at the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust following profoundly personal and different experiences with the illness.
Fiona's Journey: From Banking to Chemotherapy Nursing
Fiona Wakeling, from Rochford, is a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) whose career took a dramatic turn after her own battle with breast cancer. After spending 22 years in risk management at HSBC, Fiona was made redundant, which prompted a major life reassessment. This came just a year after she successfully underwent treatment for breast cancer in 2015, which included a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. While the treatment was successful, the experience fundamentally altered her perspective and rekindled a long-held ambition.
Fiona had originally secured a place to train as a nurse at Southend Hospital when she left school, but she chose a career in banking when she couldn't start the nursing course immediately. Her personal cancer journey served as the catalyst to finally return to that early dream of working in healthcare. She began working bank shifts in 2018 and transitioned to a full-time HCA role in 2023.
In her role within the chemotherapy unit, Fiona assists with patient observations, blood tests, and treatment areas. She supports patients through a wide range of cancer therapies, including oral treatments, intravenous chemotherapy, and cold cap therapy. "This team at Southend is amazing," Fiona said. "Whether you're a cleaner, a healthcare assistant, or a senior nurse, everyone works together. You get to know the patients. They get to know each other. It really is one big family."
She highlighted the unique community within the chemotherapy unit, where patients often see each other week after week, forming supportive friendships. Fiona believes her own experience with cancer has given her a distinct and deeper empathy for the patients she cares for. "It's a different kind of understanding that helps me support people in a different way," she explained. Despite her long career in finance, Fiona feels she has finally found her true calling. "Being here is my thank you - my way of giving back. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," she stated.
Beans' Story: A Career Forged from Personal Loss
Chi Wai Tse, affectionately known as Beans, has dedicated over two decades to Southend Hospital. Her career path was shaped by a profound personal loss when she was just 11 years old—the death of her mother from cancer. Beans qualified as a Therapeutic Radiographer in Hong Kong in 1999 and now serves as an Advanced Practitioner in Radiotherapy.
"I lost my mum to cancer when I was 11 years old, and I clearly remember her going through treatment," Beans recalled. "That really influenced my career choice, and I'm very thankful that medical technology has improved so much since then." In her advanced role, she helps patients from across mid and south Essex, with the radiotherapy department seeing approximately 120 people daily. Some patients attend treatment every day for several weeks or even months, allowing the staff to build strong, supportive relationships with them.
One of the most critical aspects of Beans' job is helping patients to relax during their treatment. She achieves this by carefully talking them through the process, answering all their questions, and reassuring them that radiotherapy is not painful. "It's a privilege to do my job and to support people through what can be one of the toughest times of their life," she said. "The best thing about my job is when someone has finished their treatment, because they're a big step closer to getting that 'all clear'."
These two powerful stories from Fiona and Beans underscore the incredible dedication and personal commitment found within the cancer care teams at Southend Hospital. Their journeys, one born from personal survival and the other from childhood loss, highlight the diverse motivations that drive healthcare professionals to provide exceptional care and support to those facing cancer.
