Dr Audrey Finnegan Crawford Memorial Fund

Scotland’s nurses are to benefit from a new fund that has been launched by Clydeside Action on Asbestos (CAA). The charity has been able to launch the fund following a donation from Dr Michael Crawford in memory of his late wife, Dr Audrey Finnegan Crawford, who died as a result of mesothelioma in 2013.

Phyllis Craig of CAA: “Audrey was our dear friend and colleague. She was working as a GP at the time she was diagnosed but came into our office one day saying she wanted to help. She was a source of inspiration to everyone who came into contact with her.

When we received the donation from Dr Crawford we agreed that it would be a fitting tribute to Audrey to use it for the benefit of nurses who come into contact with patients with mesothelioma. We are delighted to be in a position where we can contribute to learning about mesothelioma”

Read Audrey’s story in her own words (pdf)

Nurses will be able to apply to the fund for help with the costs of participating in Continued Professional Development where their learning from the courses or events will be of direct benefit to patients with mesothelioma.

Dr Michael Crawford: “My family is delighted to be able to assist Clydeside Action on Asbestos in establishing the CAA Dr Audrey Finnegan Crawford Memorial Fund.

This is particularly important in the context of the limited funding for education which is available to nursing staff to support their ongoing Continuing Professional Development requirements. I know that Audrey herself would be very honoured to have her name associated with this initiative which should help to improve the care and comfort that can be provided for mesothelioma patients.”

Audrey and Michael

Clydeside Action on Asbestos provides support for those living with an asbestos-related disease through their office based advice services and support group network. However, the charity also has a long history of working with healthcare professionals in Scotland for the benefit of those with mesothelioma. In 2016, the charity developed an Educational Learning Resource for GP’s which provides an overview of the main issues surrounding a diagnosis of an asbestos-related condition.

Jane Capaldi was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2015:

It is fantastic news that CAA has decided to make funding available so that nurses can continue with their education in order to help people like me; this funding should have never been withdrawn in the first place, as it was there to help our Scottish nurses look after people diagnosed with mesothelioma!

The nursing staff who are involved in my treatment and care are second to none, however having resources made available to help Scottish nurses continue with their personal development can only mean that they will have more knowledge which will inevitably help their patients. It is a great big thank you to CAA for leading the way for people like me who have a diagnosis of mesothelioma in Scotland.

Jackie Dunn is a Thoracic Surgery Nurse Specialist at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital and specialist advisor to the charity:

I was so pleased to learn that CAA has established the CAA Dr Audrey Finnegan Crawford, Memorial Fund. It is often difficult to access funding to attend conferences or go on courses, however, this fund means nurses across Scotland who are involved in the treatment and care of those diagnosed with Mesothelioma will be able to progress their knowledge and skills and ultimately put this into practice when caring for their patients.

This was echoed by Aggie McKay, Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist:

At a time when public services are under increasing budgetary pressures it’s great that Clydeside Action on Asbestos is able to offer financial assistance to nurses to allow them to further their skills and knowledge to benefit the care of individuals with Mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer.

Dave Moxham, Deputy General Secretary of the STUC, stated

This charity is certainly leading the way in helping people with mesothelioma”


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