First class honours for Julie
Today Jade, a social worker within St Gemma’s family support team, and Leeds Beckett University pulled out all the stops to organise a private graduation ceremony for one of our patients, Julie. Jade tells us Julie’s story and how she continues to support Julie and her wider family:
“Julie started her Health Related Studies degree as a mature student 5 years ago. Not long after she started the course, Julie was diagnosed with cancer.
Despite undergoing intense chemotherapy, Julie, aged 48 with two children, showed sheer determination and excelled throughout her course, achieving first class marks in everything she did. Her course leader said that she always wanted to make sure she was treated no differently to her course mates and was always eager to complete her placements, even throughout the pandemic.
Julie recently received care as an In-Patient at the Hospice and returned home to be with her family. She is now being supported at home by St Gemma’s community nurses and the Hospice’s family support team.
Julie’s condition has deteriorated recently, and I was concerned that she would not be able to attend her formal graduation service in September. So working closely with Julie, her family and the University, we arranged a private graduation ceremony to take place at her parents’ home today. I thought it would be really special for her and all of her family and friends to have a private graduation celebration. Everyone around Julie was so proud that today she put on her cap and gown and received her degree certificate – with first class honours.
It was such a lovely ceremony, held in her parents’ beautiful garden and was attended by Julie’s nearest and dearest along with her course lecturers and colleagues from Leeds Beckett. They really went above and beyond to make it special.
Julie’s parents put together the most delicious spread for everyone and our amazing catering team at the Hospice and one of Julie’s close friends made two beautiful graduation cakes.
It really was a privilege to be part of this special day for Julie. On behalf of us all at St Gemma’s we’d like to wish Julie a huge congratulations on achieving her first class honours degree and also a special recognition award for overcoming adversity. You’re a star.”