Abi Howse

Blood cancer is a life-changing diagnosis. And from that moment on, people are thrown into a new world of tests, treatment, side effects and fear for the future. All this comes with a huge emotional toll. 

My role is to manage the Health Information service at Blood Cancer UK, to make sure everyone diagnosed with blood cancer gets information they can understand about their condition and living well with blood cancer. We work with the blood cancer community to make sure our information gives people what they really need. 

Many people today are experiencing information overload and overwhelm - we have access to more information than ever before, especially online. But for people with blood cancer, there is a lack of truly calming, supportive, engaging information to guide them through blood cancer. This is what Blood Cancer UK is working to provide. 

I've been at Blood Cancer UK for 3 years and I've seen the organisation and the culture grow into something really special. It's an incredibly supportive place to work, the people you'll work with will inspire and encourage you, and your well-being will always be a priority. We work closely with our blood cancer community, so you'll always feel close to the cause - they help make sure we stay on the right track and produce products and services that are truly needed! 

I joined Blood Cancer UK in 2018. Before that, I worked at Macmillan Cancer Support for seven years, producing web pages and booklets for people affected by cancer. In the later years, my role was focussed on accessibility, inclusion and evaluation. After my move to Blood Cancer UK, I learned how unique and challenging the blood cancer experience is, and how varied blood cancer can be. The blood cancer community are such an energised, dedicated and supportive community, I learn something knew every week by listening to them as they shape our work.

There are lots of health charities that produce health information, but what we've found from listening to people with blood cancer is that often it is hard to find, too overwhelming, or not quite what people need. If you are passionate about designing information resources that really work, that make people feel better and help them adjust, and that offer something more supportive in an age of information overload, then come and join Blood Cancer UK.