We are delighted to welcome Nitya Raghava and John Ansell to the Programme Management Group. They will join Evelyn Chakera as Patient and Public Representatives, supporting the Director and Research Leads in making strategic decisions for our BTRU.
Nitya brings valuable first-hand experience. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2016 and, after several treatments, became the first patient to receive CAR-T therapy at the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre in 2019, aged 18. Now in remission, Nitya has completed a university degree in Dutch and Spanish and is building an exciting career at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology - an inspiring story of resilience and recovery.
"I am very much looking forwards to taking on this new role for the BTRU. I believe BTRU projects will make a meaningful difference in other patients’ lives during and after treatment, and our group’s support for this work will help achieve this." (Nitya)
John also brings a wealth of experience. He is a lifelong donor, giving whole blood until 10 years ago - and now platelets and plasma. He has also had a long career in the pharmaceutical industry, working in senior roles in marketing and business development. Now retired, John remains actively involved in the BTRU, regularly contributing to meetings and supporting our research.
Together, Nitya, John, and Evelyn will work closely with the project leads through quarterly meetings to help keep our work focused on what matters to patients and the public. They will ensure our research is clear, relevant, and meaningful. Importantly, they will also play a key role in strengthening patient and public involvement, and support two-way communication with our wider patient and public network.