Cat Hartley of CSF Languedoc has been awarded the British Empire Medal. She received the award at a ceremony on 5 July at the British Embassy in Paris, in recognition of her services to British nationals in France, affected by cancer.
Her nomination was led by a small group of volunteers and supporters of Cancer Support France Languedoc. Her nomination included testimonials from clients and their families, from fellow volunteers and from a senior medical oncologist at ICM Montpellier.
Cat is a French national who worked in the UK for over 35 years before returning to France in 2007. She enjoyed a successful career in the retail industry, after which she retrained in the field of complementary medicine, gained several ITEC diplomas and established her own successful practice in London.
She volunteered with the north London ‘Cherry Lodge’ cancer care centre, and on moving to France, continued her involvement by offering holiday respite care in her new home to cancer patients and their families nominated by Cherry Lodge.
By 2009 Catherine was understanding how difficult cancer situations could be for local expats, especially those not speaking adequate French and unfamiliar with the French medical system. Working with a small group of founder members she helped set up CSF Languedoc. Cat became President early in 2010, holding that position for some 5 years.
Cat sees this award as recognition of the work of all the many volunteers and friends of Cancer Support France both locally in the Languedoc and across France.
July 2020