Velindre teams celebrate treble | National recognition at Moondance Cancer Awards

15 June 2026

Teams from Velindre Cancer Service and its partners have been recognised for excellence, innovation, and collaboration at the 2026 Moondance Cancer Awards.

The winners were announced at a celebration event held in Cardiff on Thursday 11 June. Taking place every two years, the awards recognise outstanding contributions across the entire cancer pathway. They highlight the innovation helping to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer across Wales.

Director of Velindre Cancer Service, Kate Hannam, said: “We are incredibly proud to see our teams and partners recognised at the Moondance Cancer Awards. These achievements reflect the dedication, expertise, and passion that underpin everything we do at Velindre. By working together across Wales, we are continuing to improve outcomes and experiences for people affected by cancer, and it is fantastic to see that impact acknowledged on a national stage.”

This year’s awards attracted more than 110 nominations, with 62 individuals, teams and collaborations shortlisted across 10 categories. Nominees from around 30 organisations were assessed by an independent judging panel, and Velindre Cancer Service teams played a leading role among the winners.

Award-winning excellence from Velindre and partners

Award category: Achievement - Cancer Workforce
Winner: South East Wales Immuno-Oncology Side Effects Service, Velindre Cancer Service

The South East Wales Immuno-Oncology (IO) Side Effects Service, based at Velindre Cancer Centre, was recognised for its transformative approach to managing immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients receiving immunotherapy.

Prior to the introduction of the service, patients often experienced delays in care and fragmented pathways, with limited access to specialist expertise. The new model has introduced nurse-led clinics, a dedicated multidisciplinary team, and a specialist telephone advice line, enabling earlier identification and treatment of complications.

The impact has been significant. The service has helped avoid hospital admission for 65% of patients and manages between 40 and 60 complex cases at any given time. Patients report faster access to expert support and improved continuity of care, while many are now able to continue treatment safely.

Staff have also benefited, with 92% reporting increased confidence in managing immunotherapy side effects. In addition, the service has delivered approximately £615,000 in cost savings by reducing emergency admissions and hospital stays. Its success has led to recognition as one of the leading services of its kind in the UK, with the model now being adopted in other regions.

Award category: Innovation and Improvement - Cancer Treatment
Winner: South East Wales Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP) Team

A multi-partner team led by Velindre University NHS Trust has been recognised for its pioneering work in improving care for patients with Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP).

The team brings together expertise from Velindre, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, the All Wales Medical Genomics Service, Centre for Trials Research, NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee, and the Wales Cancer Research Centre.

The team has developed a comprehensive and patient-centred approach to a complex cancer type that is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Innovations include a bespoke e-referral system, a structured patient feedback framework, and the routine use of molecular profiling to support diagnosis and treatment planning.

These developments have led to improved diagnostic accuracy, increased treatment rates, and better patient outcomes. The team’s work has also gained national recognition, positioning South East Wales at the forefront of CUP care and influencing best practice across the UK.

Award category: Innovation and Improvement - Working Together
Winner: Building a Multi-Professional Radiotherapy Workforce

Velindre University NHS Trust, in partnership with Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Swansea Bay University Health Board, was also recognised for its collaborative work to strengthen the radiotherapy workforce across Wales.

Enabled by funding from Advancing Radiotherapy Cymru (ARC) programme, the initiative was led by the Multi-Professional Radiotherapy Target Delineation Group. It brought together organisations including the Clinical Oncology Sub-Committee, the National Cancer Team, and education partners.

The programme is developing a standardised, multi-professional approach to radiotherapy target delineation, enabling therapeutic radiographers, clinical scientists, technologists and resident doctors to build competencies within a robust governance framework.

By establishing a national training model, shared resources and consistent assessment, the collaboration aims to reduce variation, improve workforce resilience, and support faster progression from diagnosis to treatment.

Celebrating innovation in cancer care

The Moondance Cancer Initiative, which hosts the awards, supports innovative ideas and individuals working to improve cancer survival in Wales. The awards highlight the importance of collaboration and continuous improvement in delivering better care for patients.

Velindre Cancer Service was shortlisted in 10 different categories in total, which also included:

• Better Patient Experience - Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) Service

• Collaborating with Partners - BATRI (Brain Tumour Research Initiative) in collaboration with Cancer Research Wales and Cardiff University

• Medical - Dr Ricky Frazer

• Cancer Treatment - Conformal Palliative Radiotherapy Service

• Working Together - The Prognostic Key in collaboration with Swansea Bay University Health Board and NHS Wales Performance and Improvement

• Patient and Public Participation and Involvement - Co-Produced Breast Cancer Diet Video Resource in collaboration with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Macmillan Cancer Support, Powys Teaching Health Board, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

• Patient and Public Participation and Involvement - GastroSCOPE in collaboration with Swansea Bay University Health Board and the Centre for Trials Research

Velindre Cancer Service provides specialist cancer care to more than 1.5 million people across South East Wales and beyond. As part of Velindre University NHS Trust, services are delivered through a hub-and-spoke model, with Velindre Cancer Centre serving as a specialist treatment, teaching and research centre for non-surgical oncology.

The Trust delivers a wide range of treatments, including chemotherapy, systemic anti-cancer treatments (SACT), radiotherapy and specialist palliative care, alongside the Welsh Blood Service.

These latest awards underline our continued commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative care and to working collaboratively with partners to improve outcomes for those affected by cancer across Wales.