Photo of Lena Kesraoui

Lena Kesraoui

Oncology: Palliative care officer

My interest in oncology has developed through both personal experience and academic curiosity. Having lost close relatives to cancer, I have witnessed the profound importance of compassionate, patient-centred care and the impact that empathy can have on both patients and their families. This has shaped my growing interest in palliative medicine, particularly the role of communication, dignity, and holistic support throughout a patient’s cancer journey.

Alongside this motivation, I have developed strong organisational and leadership skills as this year’s Freshers’ Fortnight Campaign Head for the Imperial College London Islamic Society, where I coordinated a two-week programme for over 100 incoming students. This involved leading a subcommittee, liaising with external venues, managing logistics, and supporting students through the transition to university. As a member of the GP Society Conference Subcommittee, I have also gained experience in speaker coordination and event planning. These roles have strengthened my teamwork, communication, and reliability, which are key skills I would bring to this position.

If elected, I would aim to organise multidisciplinary events exploring palliative care from diverse perspectives, including hospice clinicians, psychologists, and patient advocates. I would seek collaboration with organisations such as Macmillan Cancer Support to highlight holistic patient support and encourage student volunteering. Additionally, I hope to host interactive workshops on breaking bad news and reflective discussions on ethical challenges and resilience in oncology.

I am committed to making palliative care more visible, inclusive, and engaging within our society, and would be proud to contribute to meaningful conversations around compassionate cancer care.