Liverpool Sunflowers Cancer Care has appointed a new chief executive to help develop and expand its work supporting people with a cancer diagnosis in Merseyside.

Emma Squibb will take up the role as the charity’s new Chief Executive in mid April, and will be succeeding Joan Elmer who is retiring from her post after providing more than ten years of service to Liverpool Sunflowers.

The charity provides a unique range of free support services for anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis in Merseyside.

Emma is set to bring a wealth of fresh experience to the role, having previously worked for Liverpool Charity & Voluntary Services (LCVS), and more recently for Cancer Research UK, where her efforts in engaging local health and social care services on cancer care resulted in the Cancer Research UK Centre in Liverpool being awarded Freedom of the City in 2012, and also saw her named as Best Communicator by Cancer Research UK in 2013.

Emma Squibb said of her appointment:

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Joan Elmer on various cancer related projects in Merseyside over the last six years, so I’m well aware of the great service which is provided by Liverpool Sunflowers.

‘The latest statistics tell us that 1 in 2 of us will develop cancer at some point in our lifetime. I know some people find this a scary statistic, but it’s because we’re all living longer.

“The good news is that it’s also the case that cancer survival rates have doubled in the last 40 years, and today more and more people are surviving cancer, going back to a normal life, which for many includes going back to work.

“Services like Liverpool Sunflowers, which helps people to cope with a cancer diagnosis and supports them through the treatment and recovery process, are absolutely vital to this process.

“I’m really looking forwards to working with the staff, trustees and volunteers there. There’s a lot of change going on in cancer services in Liverpool at the moment, and I’m delighted to be part of the team which will continue to take Liverpool Sunflowers forwards.”

The charity’s current Chief Executive Joan Elmer added;

“Liverpool Sunflowers is a cause that is very close to my heart, not least because I am a breast cancer survivor myself. The decision to move on has not been an easy one, but I know that the time is right to do so, and I feel very confident in the knowledge that I am leaving the charity’s future in such capable hands.

“Emma already has vast experience of developing cancer services in Merseyside, and I know that under her leadership, the service will continue to grow from strength to strength in its provision of support to those facing a cancer diagnosis within our local communities.”

For more information about the charity, please visit: www.liverpoolsunflowers.com

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