Karen Delin - Why I'm Raising Awareness of Sarcoma
Karen Delin is a Senior Ward Sister at Saint Francis Hospice. Earlier this month she was presented with the Roger Wilson Inspiration of the Year Award at the Sarcoma UK Shining Star Awards 2025. Here Karen shares why she is passionate about raising awareness and supporting people with sarcoma.
I qualified as a nurse in 1990 and joined Saint Francis Hospice as bank staff in 1995, becoming part of the permanent team in 2005. In 2006, my life changed when I was diagnosed with uterine leiomyosarcoma, a rare cancer of the smooth muscle of the uterus. It was discovered after surgery for what was thought to be a fibroid. At my post-op check, I was told it wasn’t a fibroid—it was sarcoma. My surgeon warned me not to Google it because it could be frightening, but of course I did. Finding reliable information was hard, and that made me realise how isolating a rare cancer can be.
Eventually, I found online support groups in the USA and UK, and connected with Roger Wilson, the founder of Sarcoma UK. Through research and advocacy, I learned how to be my own best advocate and change my cancer management. I kept thinking, if I felt scared and alone as a nurse, how must others feel? That’s why I helped set up the London Sarcoma Support Group in 2008—a safe space for people to share worries, get peer support, and feel less alone. Sarcoma is rare, with around 5,900 cases a year in the UK, and over 100 subtypes, which makes diagnosis complex. Many people never meet anyone else with the same cancer, so these connections matter.
The group meets monthly, now in a hybrid format at The Royal Marsden and UCLH, and even if only a few attend, it makes a difference. Alongside this, I’ve been deeply involved with Sarcoma UK as a trustee, Chair, and now Charity Ambassador, reviewing research proposals, patient information, and attending advocacy workshops. Receiving the Roger Wilson Inspiration of the Year Award this month was overwhelming. To be recognised by Roger himself, someone who has transformed sarcoma care nationally, was truly special.
At Saint Francis Hospice, I use my experience to raise awareness. I share information with junior doctors and recently led a teaching session on sarcoma with support from our consultants and Sarcoma UK. It was so successful we’re now scheduled to speak to 70 GPs next year. Early diagnosis saves lives, and if I can help even one person get the right care sooner, it’s worth everything.
