Widowed mum who fights for the sick is 2017’s top woman

STANHOPE Gardens single mum of three Nicole Winram has been recognised as Riverstone woman of the year 2017 for her work in reducing the costs for cancer patients and for helping make positive changes to palliative care in hospitals.

The Minister for Women Tanya Davies visits Riverstone electorate with Riverstone MP Kevin Conolly to present local mum Nicole Winram with the 2017 Riverstone Woman of the Year Award. Picture: Adam Ward

STANHOPE Gardens single mum of three Nicole Winram has been recognised as Riverstone woman of the year 2017 for her work in reducing the costs for cancer patients and for helping make positive changes to palliative care in hospitals.

Eight years ago Mrs Winram’s life changed when her husband died from oesophageal cancer.

“I had to think what was I going to do now I was a widow and single parent to our three children who were 15, 12 and 9 at the time,” she said.

“I didn’t know what, when, how or why.’’

However, with the support of her employer Blacktown City Council, she was encouraged to do volunteer work and chose to join up with the Cancer Council’s CanAct volunteer program which was her shining light and inspired her to be a strong advocate for their NSW Saving Life 2015 campaign.

As a result of her work on this campaign the state government made the commitment in March 2015, to remove co-payments for specialised drugs including those used in chemotherapy.

Riverstone MP Kevin Conolly presents local mum Nicole Winram with the 2017 Riverstone Woman of the Year Award. Picture: Adam Ward

Riverstone state Liberal MP Kevin Conolly said then premier Mike Baird made the commitment and referred to Mrs Winram as the advocate behind the decision.

She has also been a strong advocate for improving palliative care in hospitals.

“Late last year Westmead Hospital agreed to remove palliative care from oncology and is in the process of building a temporary stand- alone palliative care ward,’’ Mrs Winram said.

Due to her advocacy work Mrs Winram was nominated for the award by Mr Conolly and on Friday was given the prestigious award and recognition from the Minister for Women and Mental Health Tanya Davies.

“This recognition is a testament to Nicole and how her journey has led to such change which will benefit many other people,” Mrs Davies said.

She said Mrs Winram’s story was a powerful one.