Sarah
Sarah was diagnosed with cancer in August of 2013. Initially her diagnosis was endometrial cancer. However the biopsy test was inconclusive, the histopathologist was unable to obtain a definitive diagnosis due to the nature of the cells. Sarah was referred to a specialist gynaecologist surgeon and he discussed the possibility of the cancer being a lymphoma. A couple of days later she got a call from the nurse specialist to say the cancer was not a lymphoma, but perhaps it could be a germ cell tumour. Weeks passed, whilst we waited for a diagnosis so Sarah could start treatment.
At Sarah’s next appointment (5th appointment for a diagnosis) she was diagnosed with lymphoma. We were all so happy and relieved as this is a very treatable cancer. Sarah was admitted to hospital, to commence treatment, which she had an amazing response to, with a tumour in her neck impalpable after the first dose of chemotherapy. However just before Sarah was discharged from hospital, her consultant delivered more devastating news, the histopathologist remained unconvinced the cell staining was a lymphoma and he would send her biopsy to Boston, USA for further investigation. Weeks later, Sarah was called for the sixth time to get her cancer diagnosis only to be told, despite extensive testing, it was impossible to find the primary source of the cancer, and she was officially diagnosed with cancer of unknown primary.(CUP)
Sarah
Sarah was diagnosed with cancer in August of 2013. Initially her diagnosis was endometrial cancer. However the biopsy test was inconclusive, the histopathologist was unable to obtain a definitive diagnosis due to the nature of the cells. Sarah was referred to a specialist gynaecologist surgeon and he discussed the possibility of the cancer being a lymphoma. A couple of days later she got a call from the nurse specialist to say the cancer was not a lymphoma, but perhaps it could be a germ cell tumour. Weeks passed, whilst we waited for a diagnosis so Sarah could start treatment.
At Sarah’s next appointment (5th appointment for a diagnosis) she was diagnosed with lymphoma. We were all so happy and relieved as this is a very treatable cancer. Sarah was admitted to hospital, to commence treatment, which she had an amazing response to, with a tumour in her neck impalpable after the first dose of chemotherapy. However just before Sarah was discharged from hospital, her consultant delivered more devastating news, the histopathologist remained unconvinced the cell staining was a lymphoma and he would send her biopsy to Boston, USA for further investigation. Weeks later, Sarah was called for the sixth time to get her cancer diagnosis only to be told, despite extensive testing, it was impossible to find the primary source of the cancer, and she was officially diagnosed with cancer of unknown primary.(CUP)
Jennifer
Jenny (Sarah’s mum) was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 1986, which led to a mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments over the following year. Jenny had a career over 21 years at RTE and her love for charitable work was the inspiration behind the setting up of the SJK Foundation. Jenny passed away on September 18th, 1987 aged 41. Sarah (the youngest of her four daughters) was just 4 years old when Jenny died.
Ray Knott, husband of Jenny and father of Sarah died on the 2nd January 2022. Co- founder of the Sarah Jennifer Knott Foundation he was an avid fundraiser, raising thousands of euro in donations and never missed an opportunity to raise awareness of cancer of unknown primary.
Ray, Jenny and Sarah are much loved and are greatly missed by their family and friends and always will be.
Jennifer
Jenny (Sarah’s mum) was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 1986, which led to a mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments over the following year. Jenny had a career over 21 years at RTE and her love for charitable work was the inspiration behind the setting up of the SJK Foundation. Jenny passed away on September 18th, 1987 aged 41. Sarah (the youngest of her four daughters) was just 4 years old when Jenny died.
Ray Knott, husband of Jenny and father of Sarah died on the 2nd January 2022. Co- founder of the Sarah Jennifer Knott Foundation he was an avid fundraiser, raising thousands of euro in donations and never missed an opportunity to raise awareness of cancer of unknown primary.
Ray, Jenny and Sarah are much loved and are greatly missed by their family and friends and always will be.
The board
Tanya Knott, Director
Tanya has worked in the healthcare industry for over 25 years. A graduate of King's College London and Trinity College Dublin, Tanya has worked as a registered general nurse specialising in cardio thoracic, intensive care and emergency nursing. Tanya also has years of experience working in the pharmaceutical industry in market access. When Sarah was diagnosed with cancer of unknown primary, Tanya realised there was a huge gap in knowledge and research in this disease area and set up the foundation in the aim of promoting improved awareness, research and education into cancer of unknown primary (CUP). Tanya is co- founder of world cancer of unknown primary week www.worldcupawareness.org working with global experts, patients, health care professionals, researchers and industry to promote education, awareness and research into CUP. Tanya has written published articles and a white paper on the unmet needs of patients with cancer of unknown primary and has presented at many CUP international conferences. Tanya is a board member of 'From Testing to Targeted Treatments'. FT3 is a global initiative to help ensure access to precision medicine for all those that need it www.fromtestingtotargetedtreatments.org
Jennifer Kane, Director
Jennifer is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland (FCA) and a Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA). After graduating from University College Dublin (UCD) with a Degree in International Commerce and a Masters in Accounting, Jennifer joined KPMG and after qualifying she moved to industry. Jennifer is an experienced board director and group company secretary with 17 years’ experience in the areas of Corporate Finance, Mergers, Acquisitions, Company Re-structuring, Tax Compliance/Reporting, Company Law and all areas of Accounting.
Kate Fox
Kate is a media sales professional with over 15 years experience in radio sales. She is currently working with regional radio station iRadio & has worked in both Dublin & Local markets. She is a past president of Network Ireland – Dublin Branch working on the committee for 5 years up to 2014.
Ruth Knott
Ruth Knott brings more than 20 years of risk management experience to her role as co-founder of the SJK Foundation. Ruth is an experienced senior risk leader with more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry. Ruth graduated from University College Dublin and holds a Professional Diploma in Banking Risk Management Practices along with a number of other professional compliance, banking and leadership qualifications.
Lisa C. Carey
Lisa is a best selling author with over two decades of leadership experience in strategic marketing, brand advertising, and global communications for multiple Fortune 500 brands. Her work has been recognized by national and international awards organisations including The Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, The One Show, The New York Festival, and the London International Awards.
Dr. Conor Davis
Conor graduated from Physiological Science with an Honours degree from UCD in 2005. He qualified as a doctor with an Honours Medical Degree in 2009 and is currently working as a consultant in emergency and retrieval medicine in Dublin. Conor has published in multiple medical journals worldwide. He has worked in healthcare in Ireland, Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Malawi. Conor has experience with multiple charity organisations and has worked in Haiti, Malawi and Belarus.He was a founding member and regional director of the Swansea branch of Skipkids charity from 2005-2007.
Team SJK
Louise Beggan - Laura Carroll - Jaime Carter - Ray Carter - Clare Ennis - Aoife Gallaher - Marian Hollingsworth - Carla Kenna - Fiona Mahon - Sarah Maune - Charlotte Gallaher
Tanya Knott, Director
Tanya has worked in the healthcare industry for over 25 years. A graduate of King's College London and Trinity College Dublin, Tanya has worked as a registered general nurse specialising in cardio thoracic, intensive care and emergency nursing. Tanya also has years of experience working in the pharmaceutical industry in market access. When Sarah was diagnosed with cancer of unknown primary, Tanya realised there was a huge gap in knowledge and research in this disease area and set up the foundation in the aim of promoting improved awareness, research and education into cancer of unknown primary (CUP). Tanya is co- founder of world cancer of unknown primary week www.worldcupawareness.org working with global experts, patients, health care professionals, researchers and industry to promote education, awareness and research into CUP. Tanya has written published articles and a white paper on the unmet needs of patients with cancer of unknown primary and has presented at many CUP international conferences. Tanya is a board member of 'From Testing to Targeted Treatments'. FT3 is a global initiative to help ensure access to precision medicine for all those that need it www.fromtestingtotargetedtreatments.org
Jennifer Kane, Director
Jennifer is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland (FCA) and a Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA). After graduating from University College Dublin (UCD) with a Degree in International Commerce and a Masters in Accounting, Jennifer joined KPMG and after qualifying she moved to industry. Jennifer is an experienced board director and group company secretary with 17 years’ experience in the areas of Corporate Finance, Mergers, Acquisitions, Company Re-structuring, Tax Compliance/Reporting, Company Law and all areas of Accounting.
Kate Fox
Kate is a media sales professional with over 15 years experience in radio sales. She is currently working with regional radio station iRadio & has worked in both Dublin & Local markets. She is a past president of Network Ireland – Dublin Branch working on the committee for 5 years up to 2014.
Ruth Knott
Ruth Knott brings more than 20 years of risk management experience to her role as co-founder of the SJK Foundation. Ruth is an experienced senior risk leader with more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry. Ruth graduated from University College Dublin and holds a Professional Diploma in Banking Risk Management Practices along with a number of other professional compliance, banking and leadership qualifications.
Lisa C. Carey
Lisa is a best selling author with over two decades of leadership experience in strategic marketing, brand advertising, and global communications for multiple Fortune 500 brands. Her work has been recognized by national and international awards organisations including The Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, The One Show, The New York Festival, and the London International Awards.
Dr. Conor Davis
Conor graduated from Physiological Science with an Honours degree from UCD in 2005. He qualified as a doctor with an Honours Medical Degree in 2009 and is currently working as a consultant in emergency and retrieval medicine in Dublin. Conor has published in multiple medical journals worldwide. He has worked in healthcare in Ireland, Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Malawi. Conor has experience with multiple charity organisations and has worked in Haiti, Malawi and Belarus.He was a founding member and regional director of the Swansea branch of Skipkids charity from 2005-2007.
Team SJK
Louise Beggan - Laura Carroll - Jaime Carter - Ray Carter - Clare Ennis - Aoife Gallaher - Marian Hollingsworth - Carla Kenna - Fiona Mahon - Sarah Maune - Charlotte Gallaher
The board
Tanya Knott, Director
Tanya has worked in the healthcare industry for over 25 years. A graduate of King's College London and Trinity College Dublin, Tanya has worked as a registered general nurse specialising in cardio thoracic, intensive care and emergency nursing. Tanya also has years of experience working in the pharmaceutical industry in market access. When Sarah was diagnosed with cancer of unknown primary, Tanya realised there was a huge gap in knowledge and research in this disease area and set up the foundation in the aim of promoting improved awareness, research and education into cancer of unknown primary (CUP). Tanya is co- founder of world cancer of unknown primary week www.worldcupawareness.org working with global experts, patients, health care professionals, researchers and industry to promote education, awareness and research into CUP. Tanya has written published articles and a white paper on the unmet needs of patients with cancer of unknown primary and has presented at many CUP international conferences. Tanya is a board member of 'From Testing to Targeted Treatments'. FT3 is a global initiative to help ensure access to precision medicine for all those that need it www.fromtestingtotargetedtreatments.org
Jennifer Kane, Director
Jennifer is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland (FCA) and a Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA). After graduating from University College Dublin (UCD) with a Degree in International Commerce and a Masters in Accounting, Jennifer joined KPMG and after qualifying she moved to industry. Jennifer is an experienced board director and group company secretary with 17 years’ experience in the areas of Corporate Finance, Mergers, Acquisitions, Company Re-structuring, Tax Compliance/Reporting, Company Law and all areas of Accounting.
Kate Fox
Kate is a media sales professional with over 15 years experience in radio sales. She is currently working with regional radio station iRadio & has worked in both Dublin & Local markets. She is a past president of Network Ireland – Dublin Branch working on the committee for 5 years up to 2014.
Ruth Knott
Ruth Knott brings more than 20 years of risk management experience to her role as co-founder of the SJK Foundation. Ruth is an experienced senior risk leader with more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry. Ruth graduated from University College Dublin and holds a Professional Diploma in Banking Risk Management Practices along with a number of other professional compliance, banking and leadership qualifications.
Lisa C. Carey
Lisa is a best selling author with over two decades of leadership experience in strategic marketing, brand advertising, and global communications for multiple Fortune 500 brands. Her work has been recognized by national and international awards organisations including The Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, The One Show, The New York Festival, and the London International Awards.
Dr. Conor Davis
Conor graduated from Physiological Science with an Honours degree from UCD in 2005. He qualified as a doctor with an Honours Medical Degree in 2009 and is currently working as a consultant in emergency and retrieval medicine in Dublin. Conor has published in multiple medical journals worldwide. He has worked in healthcare in Ireland, Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Malawi. Conor has experience with multiple charity organisations and has worked in Haiti, Malawi and Belarus.He was a founding member and regional director of the Swansea branch of Skipkids charity from 2005-2007.
Team SJK
Louise Beggan - Laura Carroll - Jaime Carter - Ray Carter - Clare Ennis - Aoife Gallaher - Marian Hollingsworth - Carla Kenna - Fiona Mahon - Sarah Maune - Charlotte Gallaher
Tanya Knott, Director
Tanya has worked in the healthcare industry for over 25 years. A graduate of King's College London and Trinity College Dublin, Tanya has worked as a registered general nurse specialising in cardio thoracic, intensive care and emergency nursing. Tanya also has years of experience working in the pharmaceutical industry in market access. When Sarah was diagnosed with cancer of unknown primary, Tanya realised there was a huge gap in knowledge and research in this disease area and set up the foundation in the aim of promoting improved awareness, research and education into cancer of unknown primary (CUP). Tanya is co- founder of world cancer of unknown primary week www.worldcupawareness.org working with global experts, patients, health care professionals, researchers and industry to promote education, awareness and research into CUP. Tanya has written published articles and a white paper on the unmet needs of patients with cancer of unknown primary and has presented at many CUP international conferences. Tanya is a board member of 'From Testing to Targeted Treatments'. FT3 is a global initiative to help ensure access to precision medicine for all those that need it www.fromtestingtotargetedtreatments.org
Jennifer Kane, Director
Jennifer is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland (FCA) and a Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA). After graduating from University College Dublin (UCD) with a Degree in International Commerce and a Masters in Accounting, Jennifer joined KPMG and after qualifying she moved to industry. Jennifer is an experienced board director and group company secretary with 17 years’ experience in the areas of Corporate Finance, Mergers, Acquisitions, Company Re-structuring, Tax Compliance/Reporting, Company Law and all areas of Accounting.
Kate Fox
Kate is a media sales professional with over 15 years experience in radio sales. She is currently working with regional radio station iRadio & has worked in both Dublin & Local markets. She is a past president of Network Ireland – Dublin Branch working on the committee for 5 years up to 2014.
Ruth Knott
Ruth Knott brings more than 20 years of risk management experience to her role as co-founder of the SJK Foundation. Ruth is an experienced senior risk leader with more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry. Ruth graduated from University College Dublin and holds a Professional Diploma in Banking Risk Management Practices along with a number of other professional compliance, banking and leadership qualifications.
Lisa C. Carey
Lisa is a best selling author with over two decades of leadership experience in strategic marketing, brand advertising, and global communications for multiple Fortune 500 brands. Her work has been recognized by national and international awards organisations including The Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, The One Show, The New York Festival, and the London International Awards.
Dr. Conor Davis
Conor graduated from Physiological Science with an Honours degree from UCD in 2005. He qualified as a doctor with an Honours Medical Degree in 2009 and is currently working as a consultant in emergency and retrieval medicine in Dublin. Conor has published in multiple medical journals worldwide. He has worked in healthcare in Ireland, Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Malawi. Conor has experience with multiple charity organisations and has worked in Haiti, Malawi and Belarus.He was a founding member and regional director of the Swansea branch of Skipkids charity from 2005-2007.
Team SJK
Louise Beggan - Laura Carroll - Jaime Carter - Ray Carter - Clare Ennis - Aoife Gallaher - Marian Hollingsworth - Carla Kenna - Fiona Mahon - Sarah Maune - Charlotte Gallaher