A PWLLHELI woman who was inspired to become a nurse following a teenage battle with cancer is in the running for a top health award.

Nurse Siwan Owen, who beat leukaemia and is now helping other people battling the disease, has been shortlisted for a Welsh Language Award.

The 29-year-old works in the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan.

Siwan said: “I was amazed to find out I had been nominated but it’s really nice to think someone has recognised what I do in my day-to-day work. But it’s not just about me, it’s about the whole team I work with.

“I know from my own experience that being able to hear your diagnosis and what’s happening to you in your first language, in my case Welsh, is so important. It’s especially important when you have just heard you have cancer."

Siwan was inspired to become a haematology clinical nurse, thanks to the nurse who helped her when she was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was just 11.

Workers in the Outpatients Department of Ysbyty Dolgellau have also been nominated for the Welsh Language Award in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) staff awards.

Also shortlisted for the Welsh language award is Edwin Humphreys, a staff nurse at Ysbyty Bryn Beryl in Pwllheli, for his work in raising awareness of dementia in primary schools through the medium of Welsh.

Read the full story in today’s Arfon/Dwyfor edition of the Cambrian News