One morning on her way to work at the hospital, Campbell River oncology nurse Geri Arkell spotted a stand selling flowers. So, of course, she stopped to buy a huge bouquet – one for every patient who would pass through her clinic that day.
“All of her patients went home with a little extra ray of sunshine that day,” says Trudy Drover, one of the individuals who nominated Arkell as this year’s recipient of the BC Cancer Agency Community Care Award, sponsored by the BC Cancer Foundation. “Over the last year and a half, I have spent over 100 hours in our cancer room. I see her expertise, her positive attitude, and her results.”
It’s just one of the many reasons why Arkell was presented with the award at the BC Cancer Agency’s Annual Cancer Conference, given to an individual in the community who goes ‘above and beyond’ in the care of cancer patients. Calm, tactful, and competent, Arkell is not only a care provider, but an empathetic ear and advocate for patients and their families.
“We have been hearing about the wonderful work going on in communities for years through our regional centre and networks,” explained Barbara Poole, co-chair of the award committee. “This work contributes to B.C.’s excellence in cancer care. We feel the best way to acknowledge this sort of community leadership is through the BC Cancer Agency Community Care Award.”
It has been an honour to specialize in oncology for the last 10 years of her 35 year nursing career, says Arkell. While she has worked in many areas of nursing, including surgery and neurology, working at the cancer clinic has given her the most satisfaction.
Cancer care goes far beyond just providing chemotherapy, says Arkell, particularly in a smaller community where you see patients at the library or grocery store, and in some ways almost become part of the family.
Heather Ratté can’t help but agree. Ten years ago, when her daughter Jennifer was a young child receiving chemotherapy treatment at the hospital, Geri’s care and support made their visits not only bearable, but fun.
“We hold a special place in our hearts for Geri,” Ratté says. “She is very much a part of our family, and Jennifer is who she is today partly because of her. We love Geri and nobody deserves this award more, as she is not only a great nurse, but a wonderful person who just makes chemo and life easier.”
“This time in my career has really been the most rewarding,” she says. “You are meeting the nicest people at the most vulnerable time in their lives. It’s an honour to go on the journey through cancer with them.”
It isn’t just the care she gives to patients in the clinic that makes Arkell so special, explains co-worker Barb Hamilton, it’s the care she provides even when she’s off duty.
In a community the size of Campbell River, a nurse like Arkell is pivotal to not only developing the cancer program in the hospital, but bringing services into the community. It isn’t unusual to see her visiting the home of a patient to help solve problems with chemotherapy pumps, or make house calls to patients who were too ill to come in for follow-up care after chemotherapy.
“Geri makes the point at every opportunity to introduce herself to the physician, nurses, pharmacists, homecare workers – absolutely anyone who comes into contact with any of her patients,” Hamilton says. “No one is allowed to remain a stranger, because to do so means that her patients may not get the best of care.”
Receiving the BC Cancer Agency Community Care Award is a wonderful acknowledgment, Arkell says, and one that needs to be shared with the entire oncology team at the Campbell River & District Hospital.
“When you realize you’re part of this bigger cancer care team, it is awesome,” Arkell says. “Last Christmas, I had three patients tell me ‘I could not have gone through my life and lived it the same way if I hadn’t had cancer. It made me realize I am so loved and cared for.’ It makes me realize that I can’t imagine doing anything I’d enjoy more.”
The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to care at the BC Cancer Agency. The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care.
For more information, please contact:
Penny Noble, APR
Senior Director, Public Affairs
BC Cancer Foundation
Tel: 604 707 5902
Toll-free: 1 888.906.2873
pnoble@bccancer.bc.ca
Jinny Wu
Communications Specialist
BC Cancer Agency
Tel: 604.877.6272
Toll-free: 1.800.663.3333, ex 6272
jwu2@bccancer.bc.ca
Photo of the award winner is available upon request