Health Minister Mike Nesbitt recently welcomed Northern Ireland's nominees from Sarcoma UK's 2025 Shining Star Awards to Parliament Buildings.

The meeting served to honour the local individuals and organisations recognised for their outstanding contributions to sarcoma care, patient advocacy, and support.

The Shining Star Awards, which held its national ceremony at Tower Bridge in London in November 2025, celebrates excellence across the UK. Northern Ireland was well-represented across four major categories, including a win for The Boom Foundation.

The local nominees recognised include:

• Sarcoma Support Group Champion of the Year (Winner): The Boom Foundation – Leona O'Neill MBE, Founder.

• Young Sarcoma Voice of the Year: Carly Wilson.

• Healthcare Professional of the Year: Sandra McAllister, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Regional Multidisciplinary Team Lead for Sarcoma.

• Political Voice of the Year: Minister Mike Nesbitt. Reflecting on the meeting, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt commented: "The nominees recognised by Sarcoma UK have truly inspiring stories. Whether through clinical leadership, tireless advocacy or compassionate support for patients and families, each has made an extraordinary contribution. Their work shines a light on what can be achieved when expertise, commitment and lived experience come together to improve care and raise awareness of sarcoma across Northern Ireland and beyond."

Sandra McAllister, who is based at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald and leads the regional multidisciplinary team, expressed her pride in the progress of local services. She said: "It is a real honour to be recognised by Sarcoma UK alongside so many dedicated colleagues and advocates. Sarcoma care relies on strong multi-disciplinary working and on the voices of patients and families being heard. I am proud of the progress being made in Northern Ireland and grateful for the continued commitment to improving outcomes for people affected by this rare cancer."

Although unable to attend the Stormont event due to work commitments abroad, nominee Carly Wilson was praised for her advocacy. Diagnosed with sarcoma as a teenager, the former Miss World Northern Ireland now serves as a Sarcoma UK Ambassador.

The Boom Foundation, Northern Ireland's only charity dedicated exclusively to the disease, was also highlighted for its significant impact. Since its inception in 2013, the foundation has raised more than £1.1 million to fund research and specialist nursing roles within the region.

Sarcoma is a rare cancer with roughly 100 cases diagnosed annually in Northern Ireland and 5,900 across the UK. Services in Northern Ireland operate via a coordinated regional model that works in tandem with specialist centres throughout the UK.