Katherine Murrell, a 27-year-old emergency medical technician with the London Ambulance Service, has survived cancer three times and credits her experiences with inspiring her career path. First diagnosed with stage four lymphoma at age 16, Murrell underwent six months of chemotherapy and a month of radiotherapy. After being given the all-clear, she later faced two more cancer diagnoses. She is now cancer-free since the end of 2023.Her journey with the National Health Service (NHS) motivated her to join the London Ambulance Service, wanting to “give something back” after years of hospital appointments. Although her medical treatments disrupted her opportunity to attend university, a hospital visit as a teenager sparked an interest in emergency medicine.
According to Murrell, the incredible medical staff made her realize how amazing it would be to work in that field. Now an emergency medical technician (EMT), Murrell believes her personal battles with cancer have made her more empathetic and able to connect with patients. She had a double mastectomy to minimize the risk of further cancer, after undergoing so much radiation therapy.
Murrell says her cancer diagnoses have enhanced her career and made her more aware of her abilities, empathy, and compassion. She feels she can connect with cancer patients on a deeper level, understanding the physical and emotional challenges they face. Her experiences have given her a unique perspective, allowing her to provide positivity and understanding to those going through similar struggles.
Murrell has chosen to reframe her experiences in a positive light and is thriving in her career. She gained significant exposure to medicine and clinical pathways during her treatments, knowledge she now uses every day. Murrell advises others in similar situations to find the good in the bad and use their experiences as a “superpower”