Margaret's 10 years with the Involvement Network

Margaret Grayson’s journey with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) in Belfast in May 2004. A therapy radiographer by profession, she walked in as a healthcare worker and walked out as a breast cancer patient. That moment changed everything.

“I became a cancer statistic,” Margaret recalls. “But I also became deeply aware of the role research played in my treatment. Every decision - my mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy - was shaped by research. It saved my life.”

From Patient to Advocate

In 2021, 17 years later, Margaret faced a second diagnosis. By then, she had already become a passionate advocate for patient involvement in research. After retiring in 2010, she was invited to join the Northern Ireland Cancer Trials Network as a patient representative. Encouraged by Ruth Boyd, a Senior Research Nurse at CRUK, Margaret attended a “Your Say, Your Day, Your CRUK” event and never looked back.

In 2014, she became one of the first Involvement Coaches, helping to shape how people affected by cancer could contribute to research and decision-making. “It was the start of a 10-year journey,” she says, “and it’s been one of the most meaningful parts of my life.”

Margaret’s motivation is deeply personal. She speaks of the seven friends she made during treatment in 2004, six of whom she lost within five years. She remembers her niece, just 32, saying goodbye to her baby son before dying of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. “Research can mean longer friendships,” she says. “It can mean a mother taking her child to nursery.”

A cultural shift in Patient Involvement

Over the past decade, Margaret has witnessed a transformation in how CRUK approaches patient involvement. “It was sparse at first,” she says. “But now, it’s embedded across the organisation. It’s no longer a tick-box exercise, it’s a partnership.”

She credits Michelle Mitchell, CEO of Cancer Research UK, for championing this cultural shift. “Having leadership that truly values patient involvement has made all the difference,” Margaret says.

She’s proud to have contributed to major initiatives, including the Cancer Grand Challenges and the Right Now Campaign. She’s co-chaired staff induction days, ensuring new CRUK employees understand the value of patient voices from day one.

The power of the Involvement Network

Margaret also highlights the richness of the Involvement Network. “We come from a wide range of backgrounds, but each of us has something to bring. We learn from sharing with each other, and that’s incredibly powerful.”

Looking Ahead, hopes for the future

Margaret’s hopes for the next decade are rooted in progress and inclusion. She wants to see the cultural change continue to evolve - especially at director level where leadership leads by example. She envisions patient involvement becoming a standard part of governance and decision-making across CRUK.

She also hopes for greater inclusivity, with opportunities open to all, regardless of background or experience. “We need to actively pursue diversity in involvement,” she says. “Every voice matters, and every perspective can help shape better research and better outcomes.”

Margaret believes CRUK is uniquely positioned to lead the way especially in basic science, where patient advocacy is still growing. “I’ll be watching with great anticipation,” she says, “as the patient voice continues to help shape policy, research, and the future of cancer care.”

Ten years of great work—let’s keep building those involvement partnerships!

-Margaret