The family of a much-loved Paisley nurse who died of cancer have spoken of their pride as a prestigious award has been renamed in her honour.
Sarah McCann passed away in December last year following a brave fight with metastatic cancer. She was 35 years old.
The mum-of-two worked as a lead advanced nurse practitioner for active oncology at the Beatson, and dedicated her life to helping others battle the disease – even when facing her own fight with cancer.
The month before she passed away, she had been awarded the National Inspirational Award at the Advancing Care, Advancing Practice (ACAP) Scotland conference.
And now, in her memory, ACAP have renamed the accolade, the Sarah McCann Inspirational Individual Award to mark Sarah’s lasting contribution to Advanced Practice.
Praise poured in for Sarah’s dedication to her job and support of those facing their own struggles with cancer, with colleagues hailing her “exceptional spirit”.
And Sarah’s dad Paul McCann, who was left overwhelmed by the news from health bosses, said: “This is exactly how Sarah would want to be remembered.”
Sarah was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2018 and had a radical hysterectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to treat the disease.
But despite having been in remission and regular checkups coming back clear, she discovered a new lump in her neck in March 2022.
Following several tests, Sarah’s fears were confirmed and she was diagnosed with metastatic cancer – which is a cancer that spreads from where it started to a distant part of the body.
Sarah, who also lost her mum to cancer in 2019, underwent more chemotherapy in another bid to beat the disease, and bravely spoke out about her determination to stay strong for her children.
She documented her journey on Instagram to help others facing a similar fight and to help them remain positive through some of their toughest times.
Following her death, tributes flooded in through the page, with hundreds of people hailing the “strong and inspiring woman”.
Even today – following the announcement Sarah would be immortalised by the health award she herself had won for her care and professionalism – colleagues heaped praise on the Paisley nurse.
Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre cancer consultant nurse Dr Cathy Hutchison said: “Sarah was a well-known and much-loved member of the team here and right across NHSGGC.
“Even when she was unwell and dealing with her own cancer, she made herself available to her trainee ANPs preparing for their clinical exams.
“She led by example and was highly regarded by all, so it is more than fitting that this award has been renamed to mark her contribution to the Advanced Practice community.”
Victoria Campbell, NHSGGC lecturer practitioner in advanced practice and vice chair of ACAP said: “Sarah was bright, energetic and a natural leader.
“Her passion and drive for Advanced Practice inspired many colleagues around her, and her influence stretched far and wide.
“Sarah was a strong patient advocate and she cared deeply about the delivery of gold standard care to her patients.
“The renaming of the ACAP Inspirational Individual Award in memory of Sarah will now be known as the Sarah McCann Inspirational Award for Advanced Practice.
“This will ensure that her exceptional practice and spirit is remembered and relayed to future generations of Advanced Practitioners in Scotland.”
Dr Mark Cooper, consultant nurse for advanced practice, said: “Sarah was an inspiration not only to her own team, but to ANPs across Scotland and all those who worked with her.
“Her energy, enthusiasm and drive to provide the highest standards of care will be sorely missed.”
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