Katherine Murrell, an emergency medical technician with the London Ambulance Service (LAS), has overcome an extraordinary journey, surviving three separate cancer diagnoses over 11 years. Today, she is cancer-free and thriving in her career, using her experiences to help others and inspire change.

A Remarkable Journey of Survival

Katherine’s fight against cancer began at just 16 years old when she was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that affects the immune system. While her peers prepared for their GCSEs, she endured six months of daily chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the Royal Marsden. She was given the all-clear but remained under close monitoring.

Seven years later, Katherine noticed a swollen lymph node in her neck, which led to a devastating second diagnosis: thyroid cancer. Before her passing-out ceremony at LAS, she underwent surgery to remove her thyroid and affected lymph nodes.

Though cleared again, her health challenges weren’t over. Some of her lymph nodes were later found to be borderline pre-cancerous and were removed through keyhole surgery.

In 2023, after deciding to undergo a preventative double mastectomy due to her increased risk of secondary cancers from prior radiotherapy, doctors found a small tumour in her breast. This marked her third cancer diagnosis.

Turning Struggles into Strength

Despite her health battles, Katherine returned to work in early 2024 after recovering from her surgery and is now thriving in her role. She credits her experiences with giving her a unique perspective and deeper empathy for the patients she serves.

“I’ve spent 11 years going to hospital appointments, and when you get that used to it, you want to give something back,” Katherine said.

Katherine sees her challenges as a source of strength and determination:

“Cancer hasn’t impacted my career at all—if anything, it’s enhanced it. It’s made me acutely aware of my abilities, my empathy, and my compassion. I now use it as a superpower.”

A Positive Outlook and Bright Future

Katherine’s journey has motivated her to pursue ambitious goals within LAS. She is inspired by the variety of opportunities the Service offers and is looking forward to exploring different teams and roles over her career.

“I’ve probably got 30 years of my career left, and that’s a long time to explore different avenues. LAS offers so many opportunities—it’s not one size fits all.”

She encourages others facing similar struggles to find positivity and growth through their challenges.

“I know it’s not easy, but I tried to see the good in the bad, the learnings in those struggles. The time I spent in hospital wasn’t just horrible—it gave me exposure to medicine and clinical pathways, which I use every day now.”

A Story of Resilience

Katherine Murrell’s story is a testament to resilience, strength, and the power of using personal struggles to inspire and help others. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary impact individuals can have, even in the face of adversity.

She remains a shining example for her colleagues, patients, and anyone facing their own challenges, proving that even the toughest battles can lead to incredible personal growth.