Here’s a bit about each of us
Professor P.G. Roy
Founding Trustee and Interim Chair of Trustees
Professor P.G. Roy (founder trustee of Oxford Breast Buddy Group) is the senior Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon at Oxford University Hospitals, UK and Associate Professor of Surgery at University of Oxford. She has established a high quality oncoplastic unit for treatment of breast cancer with active engagement in clinical trials and research. She trained in India and then moved to UK; obtained MD in research from Dundee University, higher surgical training in Oxford, followed by National Oncoplastic Breast fellowship in Nottingham.
Professor Roy is passionate about holistic care for patients undergoing breast cancer treatment with emphasis on psychological well-being. She set up OBBG to enhance survivorship programme and provision of support by and for the patients after completion of treatment for breast cancer. She is the Clinical Director for ‘Exercise oncology programme’ for Genesis Care, UK
She is the principal investigator for several national and international trials in breast surgery in Oxford. She is a member of the National Breast Cancer Clinical studies Group. She is a tutor for national breast surgery courses and course director of OOPS (Oxford Oncoplastic Breast Surgery course). She has been a tutor to several international fellows and mentor to consultant colleagues.
Anna Sarphie
Cofounding Member
See Anna’s tribute page here.
I am a single mother of two 20-something boys, an avid runner, traveller and theatre goer, with a background in both Biochemistry and Psychology. And I have secondary breast cancer. As well as OBBG, I work closely with Breast Cancer Now.
I am absolutely driven by trying to ensure that anyone touched by this disease, at whatever stage that may be, never feels alone, always finds the support they need, and that they get their voices and their confidence back. Because cancer doesn’t have to define us.
Natasha Austin
Chair of the Members' Committee
OBBG member since 2017 and chair of the Member’s Committee. I am at my happiest when ballroom dancing or doing anything creative with wool, thread or textiles! I enjoy meeting our members at monthly meetings which cover a wide range of topics from research and the latest developments in cancer treatments, to personal stories, complimentary therapies, wellbeing sessions and of course a good cup of tea, a tasty treat and a chat with new friends.
Do come and join us, we look forward to seeing you.
Jenny Grove
Trustee
Jenny, married for 45 years, with four children and 8 grandchildren. I enjoy spending time with family, nature, gardening and walking.
“I was diagnosed with bi lateral breast cancer in 2014 and have been a member of OBBG since 2015. As a Christian my philosophy is to love your neighbour as yourself. I feel privileged to be part of something that allows me to actively live what I believe.
I have benefited tremendously from OBBG and I am passionate about seeing others benefit from all that OBBG has to offer now and in the future.
Melissa Morrison
Committee Member
Melissa Morrison is a single mother to her primary school children. She is an experienced service delivery professional with 20 years’ experience – describing herself as enthusiastic and discerning in her approach.
She says: “I was most fortunate to find myself in the care of Ms Roy following diagnosis, and am so very grateful to have this opportunity to return the support and kindness I received from so many, by helping everyone we can through this wonderful charity.
“It is a pleasure to share these moments, ideas and information with other members – through both happy and sad times. The lives we lead can be entwined to become something far greater than we ever imagined by sharing our personal experiences which, in turn, can help others navigate their own journeys.”
Anne Pickerill
Committee Member
“I am a lawyer by profession and have run my own consultancy business for over 25 years. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2021 it came as a complete shock as I have always considered myself to be healthy. Physically and mentally I found the early months after diagnosis and surgery to be hard and I craved the opportunity to discuss my concerns and to connect with women who were going through a similar experience. Unfortunately Covid meant face to face contact was not possible but once we were free to meet people again I found OBBG to be a lifesaver. I now want to be there for others and to offer any support I can to this wonderful charity.”
Jeanette Costigan
Trustee
“I became a trustee of OBBG because I want to give something back. I attended my mammograms without fail and never had any issues. I have to admit however that I didn’t examine myself regularly in between these appointments. That was a big mistake!! Fortunately, the 40 mm lump in my left breast was so pronounced that I felt it against the inside of my arm when washing my hair in the shower. Little did I know, at that point, in three months’ time, I would not have any hair left to wash. By the time my ‘lump’ was removed, it had grown to 60 mm and, as my oncologist once remarked, ‘it was a big old tumour’. That was more than five years ago and I feel very fit and healthy now, however, I endured six operations, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and I tried three different hormone therapy prescriptions before realising that I couldn’t tolerate any of them and deciding not to take them. When I reflect on my experience now, I still feel very lucky that the cancer hadn’t spread into my lymph nodes and that, as far as I can be sure, I am totally cancer free now.
I will be eternally grateful to all the wonderful people – friends, family, my employer/colleagues and amazing clinicians/surgeon – who supported, helped, treated and guided me through my breast cancer journey. If I can do something to help other women who are dealing with this dreadful disease, I will feel honoured. If I can encourage just one woman to examine herself and get an early diagnosis, I will be overjoyed. In terms of my contribution as a trustee, I hope I can be an asset to OBBG in the coming months/years.
Sarah Holmes
Administrator
Sarah joined OBBG in April 2021. Sarah has lived in Oxford for more than 20 years and has a background in communications and charity administration.
“I am delighted to be working for OBBG and helping all our lovely members navigate their way along their personal cancer journey.
“I had cancer in 2012 and would have loved a similar group for my kind of cancer (not BC). I have the privilege of seeing every day how patients supporting patients through OBBG really does make a difference. I regularly receive beautiful messages from people telling us what a comfort it is to know there are people at OBBG who are in a similar boat.”
Gillian Watson
Committee Member
“I have been retired for 16 years and enjoy travelling with my husband around the country in our MG car, gardening and various crafts. The diagnosis of breast cancer came out of the blue in November 2021 as I had had a mammogram only the year before. All went well with the first treatment however the annual mammogram a year after showed a small cancer in the other breast. So in February 2023 surgery was completed with radiotherapy to come.
Family and friends have given me a huge amount of support but it was after receiving the goodie bag from OBBG that I attended one of the meetings and found a very friendly group of people who also supported me as they understood exactly any concerns I had. Now I enjoy the various meetings either in person or on Zoom and I can help support others going through the emotional time of breast cancer.”