Meet the Team

Sam Dixon

Chief Executive

I live in South Yorkshire with my husband and have three adults sons who have sort of left home but seem to return at intervals! I have been in the voluntary sector for nearly thirty years, a sector I am proud to represent. The first 15 or so years of my charity sector life were in fundraising where I ended as Director of Fundraising for Regions and Countries at The Prince's Trust. The remaining 15 years have been in broader leadership roles including CEO of Weston Park Cancer Charity, and more recently Jo's Cervical Cancer Charity.

I am excited about working with the M2C team, our volunteers and wider stakeholders to give a strong voice to women with secondary breast cancer, to increase commitments to research funding and improve research outcomes whilst providing support to men and women who need M2C now.

Interesting fact – I looked after the then Prince Charles (now King Charles) for a morning on his one and only trip to Barnsley (I know how he takes his tea).

Emma Hall

Executive Director

I graduated from the Liverpool Institute for Performing arts in 2008 with a degree in Theatre Production.  My first full time job after University was at the Liverpool Arena and Convention centre before moving back to Dunfermline to live with my husband.

I moved into the voluntary sector in 2011 when I started working with Sue Ryder as a Community and Events Fundraiser, before moving to Parkinson’s UK.   I was a Regional Fundraiser for 7 years at Parkinson’s UK covering the East of Scotland.  At Parkinson’s UK I was involved in a great deal of different event, projects and partnerships throughout the years.

I started as Head of Fundraising with Make 2nds Count in November 2019. I joined the team because I wanted to help raise awareness of Secondary breast cancer, after family members were affected by breast cancer.

Interesting fact – Sir Paul McCartney awarded me my graduation certificate.  The picture of him and I is hanging in my home office.

Dr Sarah Thomas

Head of Research & Education

Following the completion of my PhD research project funded by Cancer Research UK, I took up a post in science communication at an international educational charity, before returning to Cancer Research UK to specialise in connecting people to cancer research taking place in Scotland. 

After working as a cancer researcher in the lab myself, I feel incredibly privileged to be joining Make 2nds Count, where I’ll be building a research programme and developing strategies we hope can make a real difference to people affected by secondary breast cancer in near-time. 

Interesting fact - I don’t work Mondays as I volunteer in my local community as a peer educator at a breastfeeding support group with the help of my two wee girls.

Claire O'Donnell

Support & Patient Engagement Manager

After two years as a Patient Champion for the charity, I'm delighted to now be officially part of the team as their new Support & Research Project Coordinator. 

I'm eager to help the charity grow their support services. As a Secondary Breast Cancer patient myself, with 5 years living with this disease, I am keen to bring that patient knowledge and hope to this role.

I have coordinating experience from my previous role within the events industry and am very much looking forward to this new support & research challenge.

Interesting Fact: I have a massive Dr Martens collection that I started after diagnosis. Shoes, boots, bags, scarfs, pins. My goal is to reach 100 pairs and in the 2 years of collecting, I already have 78 pairs. I wear a different pair every day and always choose the shoes first and build the outfit around them. They make a great addition to EVERY outfit and they are always a talking point.

Clare Cox

Marketing and Communications Manager

I'm thrilled to join Make 2nds Count and bring with me to the role 14 years of charity healthcare comms experience. I'm really passionate about using the written word and design to make an impact, raise money, inspire and build awareness.

Breast cancer has been part of my life, with both my nan and mum having it. The wife of a close friend died recently from secondary breast cancer, and I know how important support groups and charities like Make 2nds Count were to them as a family. I hope that I can use my skills to help Make 2nds Count be even more accessible to the people that need support. 

Interesting Fact: I am an extra in the 1999 film 'Human Traffic.' Spent a whole day dancing silently take after take in an old house in the Welsh countryside, wearing a massive blue wig and a tiny outfit. It was absolutely freezing! After all that, you see only my face for a split second!

Ruth Harris

Corporate Partnerships Manager

I have never been more excited to join a team. Make 2nds Count are doing inspiring work and I am truly thrilled to be contributing. I will be bringing over 10 years experience of gaining high level corporate partnerships and transferring those skills to the charity sector.

My father passed away from undiagnosed secondary cancer and so the importance of educating people in the signs and symptoms of secondary cancer is an important role and supporting people through that diagnosis is invaluable and needed work. 

Interesting Fact: I'm an astrology loving buddhist who founded & created a software start up in the cosmetic sector.

Melanie Tolson

Patient Trials Advocate Nurse

I live in the Scottish Borders with my chihuahua and have three amazing children. I have been a cancer nurse for almost 30 years and have a varied career within cancer services. Clinical trials and research into breast cancer  has been my passion for the past 20 years so, I am delighted to now be part of the Make 2nds Count family. I joined Make 2nds Count in April 2022 as a Patient Trials Advocate Nurse part-time. I have just left the NHS in July 2024, to come on board full-time which I’m very excited about. I can’t wait to support more patients with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer and be more involved in such an inspirational charity.

Interesting fact - I am a massive fan of all things Musical Theatre and played one of the Royal Children in “The King and I” at the age of nine at the Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh. 

Corinne McDougall

Patient Trials Advocate Coordinator

I’m so excited to be working for Make 2nds Count and being part of such a great team. Prior to joining M2C I worked within an oncology unit for 5 years and had the pleasure of getting to know so many wonderful people from all walks of life. 

I feel privileged to be working with this great young charity and look forward to contributing and watching it grow, very exciting.

I worked and lived in Glasgow for 10 years then London for 3 years before moving back to Edinburgh where I am now very settled.

Interesting fact - I walked the Brooklyn Bridge many years ago at 11pm when it probably wasn’t the safest thing to do! I fed homeless people all round New York City and I was lucky to meet some amazing people and hear their story. 

Lianne Bryce

Community & Events Fundraiser 

I am really excited to join the amazing team at Make 2nds Count as their Community and Events Fundraiser. This is a fantastic charity with lots of exciting things happening and I am looking forward to using my skills to help the charity grow.

I come from an events background where for the last 3 and half years I have worked as a senior part of a sales and planning team for an events venue. It has always been an ambition of mine to work in the third sector to use my skills and hard work to help other people.

I am a friendly outgoing person that loves chatting and getting to know new people/making new friends. I spend most of my free time with my hubby, 2 kids and our dog. We love to spend our weekends on long dog walks and getting cosy in the evenings watching movies.

Interesting fact - I once put on a charity fashion show in Edinburgh with International fashion designer Jacqui Burke showcasing some of her designs. Jacqi Burke designed clothes for pop and rock stars, sold own label items to high end retailers around the world and took part in well known fashion shows such as London fashion week during the period of 1989 - 1998.

Elizabeth Smith

Support Officer

I am excited to be joining the team at Make 2nds Count, working for a cause so close to my heart.  My mum was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer when I was a teenager and it has shaped my whole adult life. 

The charity offers such a wide variety of services and support and I can't wait to get involved and help these grow!

Prior to joining, I spent several years as the Community Engagement Manager for an Older Person's charity as well as volunteering for a national Breast Cancer Charity helping them with engagement, fundraising and events. 

Originally from London, I now live at the seaside with my husband and 2 children.  I have 5 younger siblings and a haul of nieces and nephews living close by. 

In my spare time I volunteer for a few local charities and CICs writing funding applications and bids. 

Interesting fact - We got married in Tower bridge.  You can feel the glass walkways bouncing as you dance!

Dr Alex Turner