As part of Volunteers Week, we interviewed Nicole Croft who kindly volunteers on our Patient and Public Involvement Panel (PPIP). PPIP was developed to ensure that the research questions we ask, and the outcomes we achieve, truly matter to patients. Below, Nicole shares more about how it has made her feel volunteering on the panel.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and why you decided to become a member of PPIP?
I am Freddie‘s mum, in November 2019 Freddie was sadly diagnosed at age 6 with metastatic Ewing sarcoma. I run Freddie‘s Future, a Special Fund of the Bone Cancer Research Trust. We fundraise for better treatments for Ewing sarcoma. Freddie is now nearly 2 years out of treatment and doing very well, but of course life is always scary with a diagnosis like that, and fundraising and awareness is what we fight for!
What have you enjoyed most about being a member of PPIP so far and what difference do you hope to make?
I have really enjoyed seeing the very promising projects that are in the pipeline, I come off a Zoom call full of hope. I also hope it carries on encouraging these fantastic scientists to help us continue fighting when they can hear from the people they are directly changing the lives of.
How does it feel to know you are having a real impact on the research funded by the Bone Cancer Research Trust?
It feels amazing! I told myself when I was sat in hospital with a very poorly Freddie that I would do anything in my power to improve this awful, terrifyingly sad situation. So, to feel like I am doing just that, is so worth it.
What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a PPIP member?
I would say 100% do it! It doesn’t take up a lot of time, you get to hear about the research and meet the scientists behind the research. If we all do everything in our power, maybe together we can help to change lives. That has to be worth an hour or so on Zoom every now and then!
To find out more about our Patient and Public Involvement Panel and how to become a volunteer, please click below:
To find out more about Freddie’s Future, please visit: