Cancer patients from Manchester and across the North West are starring in a new film produced by Manchester’s specialist cancer centre, The Christie.
The film demonstrates the wide range of services provided by The Christie, how the cancer centre helps improve the quality of life for cancer patients, and the impact this has on them.
Those taking part include sports presenter Chris Latchem from Didsbury, trainee midwife Claudia Boardman from Salford, drag artist Jay Swinnerton from Ancoats and patient advocate Winston Carrington from Withington.
More than 24 clinical and non-clinical staff were also invited to participate in the video to showcase the wide range of ways patients receive care, treatment and support at The Christie.
In the final sequence, more than 50 staff members declare “We are The Christie” – the film’s title – to demonstrate how the staff work together as one team to make a difference for patients.
Chris Latchem, age 39, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia in 2018. He did not respond to the initial standard treatment available and was referred to The Christie. His consultant offered Chris an innovative and previously untried method of treatment. A medication called bosutinib was given in combination with blood transfusions and blood-boosting injections, which, over time, resulted in a complete remission for Chris. Since first being diagnosed, Chris married Lucy and became a father to Blossom, who both appear in the film. Chris talks about how The Christie brought him light on the darkest of days.
Jay Swinnerton was diagnosed with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma in 2017, aged 19. Jay had chemotherapy, which they didn’t fully respond to, so less than a year later were back at The Christie. Jay tried four different types of treatment before going into remission, thanks to a new immunotherapy drug. They also had a stem cell transplant to stop the cancer from coming back.
Jay came up with a drag alter ego, Shanika Sunrise, to deal with what was happening to them. Seven years on from their initial diagnosis, Jay is still cancer free and performing as Shanika across the UK and beyond. Jay describes The Christie as a ‘cocoon’ where they could always be themselves.
Student midwife Claudia Boardman, age 23, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma after experiencing pain in her back followed by numbness and tingling. At A&E, they discovered a
tumour pressing on her spinal cord. Following emergency surgery, Claudia was referred to The Christie for nine rounds of chemotherapy and proton beam therapy. At The Christie, Claudia felt safe and well looked after. She developed a close bond with one of the specialist nurses, who boosted her confidence and encouraged Claudia to return to university. Claudia is now in remission, with scans showing no evidence of the tumour. She will shortly qualify as a midwife.
Finally, Winston Carrington, age 73, is a prostate cancer survivor who is passionate about raising awareness of cancers, particularly the higher prevalence of prostate cancer amongst men from the African Caribbean community. He was successfully treated at The Christie in 2017 using a form of internal radiation treatment called Brachytherapy. He is an ambassador for the Moss Side-based cancer support group, CanSurviveUK. Last year, he agreed to have his image on the side of a van for a mobile prostate cancer awareness roadshow targeting black men and people with a prostate aged over 45 at a greater risk of getting prostate cancer.
Nine other patients from across the North West took part in the video, including Gemma Coleman from Turton, Des Burns and Helen Hyndman from Bury, David Jones-Stanley, Hannah Hill and Lyndsey Ainscough from Wigan and Leigh, Jane Coleman from Warrington, Libby Holden from Crewe, and Sam Elbeik from Congleton. A proton beam therapy patient, Eve Wilson, who lives in Portsmouth, was also filmed.
The film will be used by Christie staff when they do presentations or attend high-profile conferences, and three versions will be available for international audiences, with Mandarin, Arabic, and Spanish translations. Staff joining The Christie for the first time will also watch the uplifting video as part of their corporate induction.
Dr Neil Bayman, executive medical director at The Christie, said: “We want to thank all the patients and staff who participated in our new corporate film. We hope it shows how our staff care for and treat patients and how this makes a huge difference to them.”
