Everyone at the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance is deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and friend Jo Taylor.
Since her diagnosis of breast cancer in 2007, Jo devoted her life to supporting others affected by the disease, transforming her own experience into a powerful force for change. She has touched thousands of lives across Greater Manchester, the UK and beyond.
As a patient representative at the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance for 10 years, Jo represented the voices of patients
with breast cancer and contributed to the transformation and improvement of breast cancer services across Greater Manchester. Through her network of patient contacts and organisations, Jo regularly raised issues and concerns, ensuring they could be addressed equitably across the region.
Jo was the founder of ABC Diagnosis (After Breast Cancer Diagnosis), an organisation and online network that provides peer-to-peer support for people with breast cancer. Through ABCD, she worked to reduce fear, anxiety and isolation, helping patients rebuild confidence and resume life both during and after treatment.
Her passion for exercise and wellbeing led her to create retreats in Saddleworth, Oldham, that introduced women to the benefits of physical activity, nature and community. Many who attended have spoken of the lifelong friendships and renewed hope these retreats have brought.
Following her diagnosis of metastatic (secondary) breast cancer in 2014, Jo identified a gap in awareness among patients and GPs. She developed clear and accessible infographics outlining the signs and symptoms of metastatic disease, empowering patients to ask their GP or breast specialist team if they had concerns. These infographics are now provided to every patient in Greater Manchester following a breast cancer diagnosis, ensuring that both patients and GPs can recognise symptoms earlier. Her work on this project was presented to the Association of Breast Surgeons and has since been shared nationally across England, Scotland and Wales.
Jo also founded METUPUK, the UK’s first charity dedicated to advocacy for people living with metastatic breast cancer. Under her leadership, METUPUK launched the national campaign “The Darker Side of Pink,” highlighting the reality that 31 women in the UK die each day from metastatic breast cancer. The campaign’s powerful exhibition, which reached venues including the Houses of Parliament, sparked national conversation and political engagement.
To further raise awareness of the need for better treatment, accurate data to support change and national targets for patients with metastatic disease, Jo and the METUPUK team worked with the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to host the first conference specifically focused on Metastatic Breast Cancer in 2023, acknowledged by Mayor Andy Burnham as a “real change moment” which would not have happened without Jo.
Most recently, Jo has been the inspiration behind the development of the Greater Manchester Cancer Metastatic Strategy, a first-of-its-kind, system-wide plan to transform outcomes and experiences for people living with metastatic cancer.
Miss Clare Garnsey, Associate Medical Director and Clinical Lead for Breast at the Cancer Alliance said:
“At our last Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance conference, Jo spoke up and challenged the system to do more for patients with metastatic disease, which inspired the development of this strategy . We will continue to deliver our promise to Jo to prioritise patients living with metastatic cancer.”
For more than eleven years of living with metastatic breast cancer, Jo continued on active treatment while relentlessly campaigning for improved awareness, research, treatment access and care. Her compassion, intelligence and determination inspired colleagues, clinicians and patients alike.
Claire O’Rourke, Managing Director of the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, said:
“Jo was an exceptional lady, relentless in her pursuit to change policies and improve lives. I have no doubt she has saved the lives of many women with breast cancer as a result of her work.”
Claire Goldrick, Breast Cancer Pathway Manager at the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance said:
“I have never met anyone with such unwavering determination to improve the lives of others. Her tenacity and passion have been an inspiration to those of us lucky enough to work with her, she was one in a million.”
