November 2025 marks our seventh consecutive year distributing vital patient and healthcare professional guides to every NHS ENT department across the country.
Jamie’s Legacy: From Patient to Advocate
The Throat Cancer Foundation’s partnership with the NHS began with one man’s determination to transform a deeply personal struggle into meaningful support for others.
When Jamie Rae was diagnosed with HPV-related throat cancer, he faced not only the physical challenges of the disease but also a profound information gap. The confusion, lack of clear guidance, and psychosocial complexities of learning his cancer was caused by a sexually transmitted infection left him feeling isolated and unprepared.
Jamie’s response was to ensure no one else would face their diagnosis alone and uninformed. He founded the Throat Cancer Foundation with a simple but powerful mission: to provide every patient with the clear, compassionate information and support he wished he’d had during his own journey.
“Jamie’s vision was simple but powerful,” said Gordon Dow, Trustee. “He wanted every patient to have the information and support he wished he’d had when he was diagnosed. Seven years on, we continue to honour that vision.”
Sadly, Jamie passed away in May 2025, unrelated to his throat cancer. His legacy, however, continues to grow stronger each year through the Foundation’s ongoing work with the NHS.
Our Partnership with the NHS
What began as one man’s mission has evolved into a nationwide partnership that reaches thousands of patients and healthcare professionals annually.
Two Guides, One Goal
Each year, we distribute two comprehensive guides to all NHS ENT sites.
- The Patient and Family Guide is designed to answer the questions patients most commonly ask, addressing both medical and psychosocial concerns.
- The Healthcare Professional Guide provides clinicians with practical advice on navigating sensitive conversations about HPV and throat cancer.
Why This Matters
HPV-related throat cancer has seen sharp increases over the past two decades, yet many patients still face the same information gap Jamie encountered. Our research revealed that:
- 84% of patients felt they didn’t understand HPV and its role in their diagnosis to their satisfaction.
- Most patients were unaware of any available information sources at diagnosis.
- Many healthcare providers struggle with how to communicate effectively about HPV.
Breaking Down Stigma Together
One of the most challenging aspects of HPV-related throat cancer is the psychosocial burden. Learning that your cancer was caused by a sexually transmitted infection can bring feelings of embarrassment, shame, and confusion – emotions Jamie himself navigated.
Our guides tackle these challenges head-on, addressing questions patients often hesitate to ask:
- What is HPV and how is it transmitted?
- When and how did I catch it?
- Why have I developed throat cancer?
- What does this mean for my partner and family?
- Why should I not feel ashamed?
We work in supporting NHS clinicians to normalise these conversations, emphasising that HPV affects around 80% of sexually active people at some point in their lives – it’s almost as difficult to avoid as the common cold.
Growing Support, Lasting Impact
Seven years of continuous collaboration demonstrates both our commitment to Jamie’s mission and the NHS’s recognition of the vital role patient education plays in cancer care.
“We are both delighted and proud to support the work that the NHS does in caring for people diagnosed with HPV-related throat cancers.” added Gordon Dow. “Entering our seventh year of this partnership demonstrates our ongoing commitment to Jamie’s mission.”
As we distribute our guides to NHS ENT departments throughout November and December 2025, we carry forward Jamie’s determination that up-to-date, accessible information can transform the patient experience and help break down the stigma surrounding HPV-related throat cancer. Supporting Patients, Honouring a Legacy Every guide distributed represents another patient who won’t face their diagnosis alone – exactly as Jamie envisioned.
