Swansea nurse recognised with RCNF Impact Award supported by DKMS

Nurse, Lisa Jane Connell, has been recognised with a prestigious RCN Foundation Impact Award for outstanding commitment to improving care for people with blood cancers, following training funded by DKMS UK.

The awards, held on 21 September, recognise excellence in nursing and midwifery throughout the UK and in particular, the dedication and expertise that define these professions. They are a celebration of the exceptional achievements of nursing and midwifery professionals whose work is transforming care, advancing practice and shaping the future of healthcare.

The evening was sponsored by LV= General Insurance and shone a spotlight on eight inspiring winners selected from hundreds of applicants nationwide.

Lisa, a Research Nurse at Swansea Bay University Health Board, was awarded an education grant to complete the Principles of Haemato-Oncology Care module. This was just one of the education grants made possible thanks to a £30,000 donation from DKMS UK, an international charity dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders, who partnered with the RCN Foundation to fund further education in this area of healthcare.

So far, their funding has supported 21 nurses like Lisa, and they have recently made a further investment by donating an additional £23,800. Sam McIntyre, Head of Donor Request Management, and Caroline Richardson, Head of Fundraising, at DKMS UK were in attendance at the awards ceremony. To commemorate Blood Cancer Awareness Month, they presented the Foundation with a cheque for the new funding, marking the ongoing partnership.

The course Lisa was able to undertake thanks to the grant has supported her to advance her expertise in haemato-oncology, strengthening her ability to guide patients through complex treatment journeys. Her enhanced knowledge has improved her communication, enabling her to explain diagnoses and care pathways with clarity and compassion. She is also a strong advocate for early palliative care integration, ensuring holistic support for patients and families. Lisa now leads prostate cancer research within the Health Board, continuing to drive improvements in care and patient outcomes.

Deepa Korea MBE, Director of the RCN Foundation, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to DKMS for their continued support and investment. Partnerships like this are so important and Lisa is a testament to why. Providing funding to these often-niche areas of nursing ensures that those like Lisa can develop their skill set further and ultimately improve the care and outcomes for those impacted by blood cancer and blood disorders. It is a privilege to witness the impact that the grant has had on Lisa, and I hope she continues to thrive in her role.”

Caroline Richardson, Head of Fundraising for DKMS UK, said: “Nurses are vital to excellence in care for patients with blood cancer and blood disorders, and they are central to starting conversations that encourage more people to register as potential stem cell donors. DKMS UK is delighted to be marking Blood Cancer Awareness Month by growing and continuing our funding partnership with the RCN Foundation to support nurses in their invaluable work.”

On the impact of the grant, Lisa said: “The course broadened my knowledge and helped me trust my judgment. It was a relief to know I wasn’t going to have to fund the course out of my own pocket. DKMS funding for nurses in oncology is vital because it’s important for patient care that we continue to learn and without these grants, nurses aren’t going to access the learning and development they need.”