Margaret Grayson lives in Belfast, and prior to her retirement in 2010, worked in the NHS for 39 years. She was a Therapy Radiographer in the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre with a specific interest in psychosocial oncology – she holds a Post Grad in Psychotherapeutic Studies and an MSc in Counselling. Within the Radiotherapy Department she established an Information and Support Service.

Margaret was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and has been involved in partnering with researchers, as a patient, since 2010.  Margaret is Chair of both the Northern Ireland Cancer Research Consumer Forum and the Patient Advisory Panel for the Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge Award. She is a member of the Northern Ireland Cancer Trials Network Executive Committee and facilitator for HSC Public Health’s Building Research Partnerships. She is a member of useMYdata and Independent Cancer Patients’ Voice and represents Northern Ireland on the National Cancer Research Institute Consumer Involvement Advisory Group.

In 2004 Margaret was named UK Radiographer of the Year for services to patients and carers, and in 2018 was awarded an MBE for services to cancer research in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

She has a particular interest in building public confidence and trust in the use of health data, underscoring the benefits for everyone through transparency.