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Good Hope Hospital recently featured in a BBC Radio 5 Live programme to mark World Cancer Day, during which professional dancer and Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden received a heartfelt surprise.

Amy joined 5 Live Breakfast to reflect on her own breast cancer journey. Amy was diagnosed in 2023 and has been a patient at Good Hope Hospital’s Sheldon Unit since then. Her cancer diagnosis and treatment was documented in a 2024 BBC documentary, ‘Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me’, which featured the team from the Sheldon Unit.

During the interview, she highlighted how important the support of the Good Hope Hospital oncology nursing team has been and was surprised by Chris Lowey, Senior Sister in Haematology and Oncology, who was celebrated as a ‘You, Me and The Big C star’. The pair had a lovely conversation on air about the brilliant care Amy received from Chris and the Sheldon Unit team.

Amy said: “They can’t do enough. You just know you are in the best place, being looked after by absolute heroes. I just want to say a massive thanks to Chris and her incredible team at the Sheldon Unit. You guys have got me through it.

“People ask me whether it’s hard to go back every month, but I say, no I get to see my nursing family! It does feel like one big family when you go into the unit, and I’m forever grateful.”

Speaking directly to Chris, Amy added: “You make a difference to each and every patient who walk through that door.”

On being celebrated, Chris said: “It’s incredible. We do everything for our patients, that’s why we do this job. It’s so lovely to know that we do is making a difference and it’s so nice to hear Amy give us positive feedback. Amy always brings a big smile – the team at Good Hope and we are always happy to see her.”

Following the interview, Amy was delighted to give Chris her ‘You, Me and The Big C’ pin badge in-person.

Listen to Amy and Chris’ conversation on the BBC Sounds app or online. Search for the 5 Live Breakfast programme from Monday 2 February 2026.