Gill Donovan is an internationally-renowned expert in the field of breast cancer and has developed one of the UK's first nurse-led chemotherapy clinics, where she not only assesses patients but prescribes their treatments, and has been recognised for her work in the form of the prestigious Beacon Prize for Wales.

Gill is one of just 13 recipients of the 2007 prize and joins the ranks of previous Beacon winners such as Sir Bob Geldof, Jamie Oliver and environmentalist, Zac Goldsmith who have all been recognised for their charitable work through what has become known as the 'Nobel Prize of the charity world', first coined by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Gill's unique ability to identify and articulate the needs of cancer patients culminated in her establishment of Cancer Care Cymru (CCC), a Welsh cancer charity that trains and funds specialist nurses to deliver sustained treatment and support to patients alongside that given by the NHS. Gill, the creative inspiration behind the Charity's role and work, considers that specialist nurses are uniquely placed to complement and supplement the service provided to cancer patients by the NHS.

The value of her patient-centric approach has been recognised by the Minister of Health, who asked Gill to sit on the National Institute for Clinical Excellence as a patient representative. This board of individuals is invited by the Government to ensure equal access to treatment across the UK. She has served in that post for seven years voluntarily, alongside her clinical and other roles.

Another innovation is Gill's pioneering "phone-back" service, where a patient is telephoned as many as four times within the first 48 hours of the delivery of chemotherapy. This has been professionally recognised and is award-winning.

Beacon's Chairman Martyn Lewis said: "We are especially pleased to see Gill winning a Beacon prize. Her vision and hard work mean that women fighting breast cancer receive innovative care and support using some of their toughest battles with the disease. We are proud to honour Gill's tremendous achievement."

The Prize Ceremony took place on 22nd November at The Banqueting House, Whitehall, where 13 winners were inaugurated as Beacon Fellows, a community of Beacon Prize winners who together, champion charitable causes across the globe and nurture a wider culture of giving in the UK.

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For further information on the Beacon Prize, winners' biographies and photos of the 2007 award recipients or on The Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust contact Fintan Nicholls on 0207 203 8295 or email fintan.nicholls@beaconfellowship.org.uk