Charlene Young is an award nominated Advocate for improving outreach to all communities. She uses her passion and eminence through her own health inequalities to support others and by campaigning for changes in equality and diversity in cancer care.

 

In 2011, at the age of 27, Charlene was diagnosed with an Osteosarcoma (a rare form of bone cancer) where she received limb sparing surgery undergoing a full knee replacement. This was followed by a heavy and lethal cocktail of medication, and intensive rehabilitation, to be able to independently walk again.

 

On her road to recovery, she was unfairly faced with many inequalities and inconsistencies surrounding her care, a lack of mental health support, and additional failings.

 

During rehabilitation in 2013, Charlene founded and launched a small charity, 2Gether Konnected – helping cancer patients and their families within the local community. She wanted to ensure and assist all patients received the care in areas she did not. Through this service Charlene continues to provide one-to-one cancer coaching and signposting.

Adjusting to life with permanent mobility issues, in 2019 Charlene took part in the UK's first all-black female cancer exhibition, appearing in media outlets such as ITV news, BBC radio and local newspapers.

 

Charlene also shared a stage with Simon Stevens, the former Chief Executive of NHS, England.

 

Eight years after diagnosis Charlene finally shared her story with The Bone Cancer Research Trust, which was published on their website, social media, and newsletter. 

 

She was also the Guest Speaker for the first ever bone cancer support group in London and has spoken every year at The Bone Cancer Conference since 2020.

 

In 2021 Charlene was honoured to receive an ambassador award nomination from the BCRT for her advocacy work.

 

Charlene now specialises as a patient expert and as an advisory board member on various hospital panels and for organisations. She consults and collaborates with researchers and medical teams to inform, improve patient care and advocates for groups that are underrepresented.

 

In 2022 Charlene was selected out of 400 applicants for a place on the cancer panel for one of the world’s largest research based pharmaceutical companies.

 

Despite her mobility and multiple chronic conditions, Charlene continues with every effort to raise awareness, advocate and public speak on cancer care, health inequalities and mental health.

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