Katherine Murrell had already faced more than most by the time she turned 28. After surviving stage four lymphoma as a teenager, she battled—and beat—both thyroid and breast cancer. But it was during a terrifying ambulance ride for a pulmonary embolism that her life took a new turn.
In that moment, she decided that if she survived, she’d dedicate herself to helping others the way her paramedics helped her. Today, Katherine is an emergency medical technician training to become a paramedic with the London Ambulance Service. Her past gives her a unique connection to her patients—one of empathy, strength and reassurance. “I’ve been there,” she says, “and now I get to help them through it.” Her team describes her as a bright light and a vital part of their crew.