Carrie Cannon Discusses MBE, Support for Cancer Patients

Luxembourg resident Carrie Cannon recently received an MBE in recognition of her services to cancer patients as part of the UK's 2025 New Year Honours List; Chronicle.lu had the opportunity to speak with her about the award and her journey leading up to this moment.

Background

Originally from the United Kingdom, Carrie Cannon moved to Luxembourg more than 30 years ago. Speaking to Chronicle.lu, she recalled starting her career training as a nurse in London in the early 1980s. "From the outset, I was fascinated by the root causes of health issues. Patients often came to the hospital, received treatment, went home and later returned with the same or related problems," she said, adding that this led her to pursue a degree in health and a Master's in Public Health. Her focus at the time was on women and children's health, and she worked at Bourn Hall Clinic in Cambridge with IVF pioneers Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards. "Their groundbreaking work gave women choices, and it’s been amazing to see how far the field of assisted conception has come," said Carrie.

She recalled that there were limited work opportunities in Luxembourg when she moved here with her two young sons in 1991. Two years later, she managed to find a job as a school nurse at what is now the International School of Luxembourg (ISL). This job offered Carrie "a lot of autonomy" and she was responsible for implementing a health education programme as well as introducing child protection and safeguarding policies, "which were much needed but took time and persistence to establish and led efforts to improve the cafeteria's nutrition". She added that there is "no point in teaching health ed[ucation] if the environment isn't healthy".

During this time, she received many health-related questions from adults in the community. She recalled that many people came to Luxembourg only for a few years back then and "often [went] home for routine medical care".

Think Pink Luxembourg

"Despite the good medical services here and that most doctors speak English, when you are diagnosed with something like cancer, people want support in their own language and a system they know," Carrie explained, noting how this paved the way for Think Pink Luxembourg: "In 2009, with a group of parents and colleagues, one who had been though breast cancer and one had ovarian cancer, we organised what we thought would be a one-off 'Ladies Night' with the aim to provide information and show solidarity with women affected by cancer. Dr Duhem provided the information, everyone dressed in pink and danced to music from DJ Phoebe supplied by AraCityRadio". The event raised €12,500, which came as "a big surprise" to the organisers, who found it difficult to find a beneficiary. "This laid the foundation for Think Pink Luxembourg, initially focused on breast cancer but now serving people with various cancers," Carrie said. "A poignant moment came when a young woman passed away, leaving behind a grieving husband and two small children. Her story led to the creation of Soul Talk, a men’s group co-led by Jim Kent and Rob Liebl, which offers support to men with cancer and carers".

Carrie noted the challenges of fundraising within Luxembourg's small community, "where we feel we are always approaching the same people". Nevertheless, companies have played a vital role, often inviting Carrie to deliver talks or workshops on topics such as cancer awareness and return-to-work policies. "The reality today is that more people are living and working with cancer, and workplaces need to adapt. With statistics showing that one in two people will face cancer in their lifetime, it's essential for companies to have the knowledge and tools to support their employees effectively," she emphasised.

Think Pink Luxembourg receives funding from a range of sources. Carrie said she was "always amazed by the generosity and creativity of our supporters". In 2018, Think Pink Europe invited Think Pink Luxembourg to join the annual Race for the Cure event. "Despite initial reservations about maintaining our identity, it turned out to be a great decision," Carrie shared, noting how the event, which takes place around the lake in Echternach, "has grown each year under the meticulous management of Freda Deed".

Move to India

In 2016, Carrie's husband was posted with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to New Delhi, India, for three years to set up an external office. "It was an incredible opportunity, but I initially hesitated, what would I do when I came back as an older woman, stepping away from my established role at ISL and in Luxembourg? Ultimately, I went to India," explained Carrie, noting that she travelled back and forth and stayed involved in Think Pink Luxembourg.

Carrie described her time living in India as "a fantastic experience". She began volunteering at a village school outside Delhi, where she "helped implement a health education programme and safeguarding procedures in line with Indian law and took on the challenge of tackling the menstruation issue". She noted that girls often missed school when on their periods "due to stigma, a lack of menstrual products and sanitary facilities which was significantly impacting their education and futures". Carrie worked together with teachers, parents and older students to develop "a sustainable programme to provide education around menstruation and reusable menstrual pads [reusable for personal finance reasons], which were a gamechanger for the girls, raising funds for the pads through expat coffee groups and by encouraging donations at birthdays and celebrations". The feedback was very positive.

Carrie also recalled how "funds raised following a talk on breast cancer with an expat group in Delhi enabled some friends to organise a mobile mammogram unit in a village in Haryana outside Delhi which screened 400 women". They made use of contacts at the Indian Cancer Plan "to ensure that if anything was found it would be followed up and dealt with".

Health coaching

After returning to Luxembourg, Carrie worked for two years at the Ministry of Health's health inspection department before pursuing a year-long diploma in health coaching and then launching her own business. "Health coaching focuses on uncovering the underlying causes of health issues and guiding clients toward sustainable, long-term improvements. It's about moving people forward and not looking back," she explained. "They are in charge, it's very different to nursing where we are more directive and tell people what to do, here it's about the individual finding the answer" - Carrie described this as "exactly the kind of work [she has] always loved".

She acknowledged that it is not "really a concept" in Luxembourg, where patients see their doctor, get a prescription and get reimbursed - which is not the case for (health) coaches. And yet, in light of "the current health climate, the global prevalence of preventable chronic diseases and overburdened health services, the focus on lifestyle prevention has never been more important", and coaches can help people change their behaviour and habits.

Carried stressed that she has always tried to keep Think Pink Luxembourg and her business separate "to avoid any conflicts of interest". That being said, networking is key for entrepreneurs, and her profile often includes her work with Think Pink Luxembourg: "This has inadvertently brought a lot more visibility to the organisation, which has been a wonderful byproduct of efforts to build connections in Luxembourg".

2025 New Year Honours List: MBE

Asked about her 2025 New Year Honours List award, Carrie noted: "Receiving the MBE has been a huge boost, for the entire Think Pink Luxembourg team and we're all fired up to do more and make an even bigger impact." She explained how, a few years ago, she began advocating for a dedicated space for the organisation to host support groups and workshops. Despite initial scepticism, and "thanks to some very generous donations last year", the organisation is "now in a much stronger position to move forward. And the team is now fully on board".

Carrie also stressed that Think Pink Luxembourg has been "a collective effort" from the start, and she expressed her gratitude to "everyone who has believed in our mission, and for their support, shared skills and encouragement which have been the backbone of our success". She noted that she was "especially grateful" to the British Ambassador to Luxembourg, Fleur Thomas, "without whom this recognition would not have been possible".

Reflecting on her hobbies outside of Think Pink Luxembourg and health coaching, Carrie shared that she enjoys being active (walking, hiking, skiing, swimming, etc.) and playing with her grandchildren. She also enjoys listening to music and "keep[s] trying to play the piano". Other pastimes include board games and spending time with family and friends from around the world.