A blog by Ronny Allan

Health Union Accredits Ronny Allan as a Certified Patient Leader – February 2025

Health Union Accredits Ronny Allan as a Certified Patient Leader – February 2025

 

Health Union accredits Ronny Allan

This was announced in summer 2023 but it took me a while to engage due to my many commitments (including some big personal stuff to sort out)  I had a false start, many things took priority for a while but early 2025, I was encouraged to complete it and finally crossed the line in February 2025. Read my Facebook announcement of certification –  click here.

My formal certificate was recently received, see below! 

Health Union Acquires WEGO Health – WEGO Health

WEGO Health had the largest network of patient leaders in the world, clearly recognised by Health Union as a fantastic addition to their portfolio. Every year WEGO Health recognised their patient leaders via their renowned awards process. I first discovered them in 2016 and decided to apply.  As at 2021, I have now won 3 awards, been in 8 finals following around 27 nominations for various categories. WEGO Health and then Health Union and many of their patient leaders now know about Neuroendocrine Cancer

The story of WEGO Health and my experience with them is outlined below.  I encourage you to watch the 2021 announcements below, so inspiring.  The 2021 awards were special because all records were broken in terms of nominees.  From 21,000, that had to be reduced to just 96, 6 in each of 16 categories.  It’s quite a feat just to get into the finals and I was in awe of the quality of the finalists, to the point that I felt I had no chance of winning anything.  So, a third Best in Show award in 2021 was so humbling and I was so proud to be one of the 96 winners from 21,000 nominations.  And it’s an award for Neuroendocrine Cancer too, they all are. I am so thankful to those who nominated me, those who endorsed me to make up the numbers needed to become a finalist, and to the judges who saw something they liked in what I’m doing.  THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!

WEGO Health was a mission-driven company dedicated to transforming healthcare by harnessing the experience, skills and insights of patient leaders.  They were a network of over 100,000 patient leaders from all types of illnesses and conditions.  I’m proud to be one of them.  I’m so pleased that Health Union maintained the awards system and through the accreditation course,l have enhanced the skills, reputation and knowledge of patient leaders

My Health Union/WEGO Award History

5th Annual Awards – 2016

In 2016, I was nominated for 6 awards, selected as a finalist for 2 of those (Blog and Community) and then won the Best in Show Community award.

Listen to my WEGO Finalist podcast in 2016 – click here or on the picture below.

6th Annual Awards – 2017

In 2017, I was nominated for 3 awards, Blog, Patient Hero and Lifetime Achievement.  I actually made the final of all 3 – unsuccessful but proud to have gotten so far in 3 different categories. 

7th Annual Awards – 2018

In 2018, I was nominated for 5 awards and made to the final in the Blog category.  This is not only another great opportunity for me as a blogger and health activist but also a further opportunity for Neuroendocrine Cancer awareness.  After 3 successful finals in the Best in Show Blog category, I finally won over the judges and was declared the winner.  This was a real turning point for my work and shortly after that win, my blog views reached 1 million.  

8th and 9th Annual Awards – 2019/2020

2019 and 2020. I declined any nominations coming out of the awards; it was a personal choice due to an overload of commitments.

10th Annual Awards – 2021

click the link to watch but also shout out for Neuroendocrine Cancer in the comments


2021
.  The story continues with a dozen nominations and a finalist in Blog and Lifetime Achievement.  On 23rd September 2021, it was announced that I had won the Lifetime Achievement award.   Clearly, I had my eye on the Blog award again but as far as I know, no-one has ever won it twice – that’s probably a good thing, so many patient voices need to be heard.  Now …”lifetime” has an air of “retirement” about it but I can assure you while I am over the moon to have won this award, I have zero intentions of retiring. In fact, my intention is to step up a gear, watch this space. 

One thing which did catch my eye in the announcements came from Jack Barrette, former CEO of WEGO Health but now Chief Innovation Officer at Health Union who said “….the WEGO Health Awards were born to recognize the patient leaders who often go unrecognized.  The folks who lead communities every day with support, education and love.”

You can watch the announcements at this link below. Important to watch the intro and the summary and if you wanted to see my own award for Lifetime Achievement, that’s around the 33-minute mark.  It’s an inspiring experience to watch all 16 award announcements – so many worthy patient leaders there, it’s humbling. 

Announcing the 10th Annual WEGO Health Awards Winners – WEGO Health


Why awards generate awareness

There’s a number of reasons why awards generate awareness.  I said from day 1, my tactics were to generate awareness in new audiences.  Sharing my story in new places does this.  It’s also a chance to take up speaking and other opportunities in new places.  I was totally blown away by a message from Jack Barrette, then CEO of WEGO (now Chief Innovation Office for Health Union).  I think really sums up the benefits for Neuroendocrine Cancer. 

I’m very grateful for your help in achieving the above.

Thanks for reading.

Ronny

My Diagnosis and Treatment History

Follow me on X (formerly twitter)

Check out my online presentations

Check out my WEGO Health Awards

Check out my Glossary of Terms – click here

patients included

Please Share this post for Neuroendocrine Cancer awareness and to help another patient


Read some of my stuff below

Ronny Allan’s Newsletter covering July 2026

Summary of July 2026 on RonnyAllan.NET July was similar to the other months of this year but views down on the previous two months due to 50% of the month spent on holiday.  Still a reasonable blog performance.  Other key targets met were three more editions of the Spotlight series on vitamins and minerals.  See…

16 years since diagnosis, I’m still here

I finally made 16 years since I was diagnosed on 26th July 2010.  A milestone I was not certain at the time I would reach.  However, as things progressed, as treatment was administered, and as I got used to living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, I eventually became more confident this was a possibility with the help…

Spotlight on Cushing’s Syndrome in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

Intro Cushing’s syndrome is one of the most challenging hormonal complications seen in people with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). It can be subtle, severe, or even life‑threatening — and it is often misunderstood. Many patients struggle for months or years before receiving a correct diagnosis, partly because the symptoms overlap with everyday conditions such as weight…

14th July 2026 – Ronny Allan hits 3 million blog views!

Today, 14th July 2026, I can confirm the 3 million views milestone has been reached.    MASSIVE THANKS to you guys for reading and sharing. When I first set up this blog in April 2014, it was just to help spread awareness (….and collect a few pennies) whilst I was walking the 84 miles of…

Spotlight: Zinc in Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs)

  Before you read thisThis information is designed to help you understand how vitamins work in the body and how certain NET-related factors might affect them. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Every NET patient is different — tumour type, treatments, surgery, symptoms, and nutritional needs can vary widely. If you have…

Neuroendocrine Tumours – Iron

Disclaimer: This Spotlight provides general educational information about Iron. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Individual needs vary, particularly for those with conditions affecting digestion, absorption, or chronic blood loss. Always consult your medical team before making changes to supplements or nutrition. Before I knew I had metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumours, I was diagnosed…

Ronny Allan’s Newsletter covering June 2026

Headline – half yearly point bonus edition Summary of June 2026 on RonnyAllan.NET June was similar to the other months of this year but slightly down on the previous two months due to holiday.  Still a strong blog performance.  Other key targets met were three more editions of the Spotlight series on primary NET types (colon, thymic…

Clinical Trials PRRT: From 177Lu to 225Ac: The DOTA-LM3 Antagonist Journey

  Disclaimer:Please also note that mention of a clinical service, trial/study or therapy does not constitute an endorsement of that service, trial/study or therapy by Ronny Allan, the information is provided for education and awareness purposes and/or related to Ronny Allan’s own patient experience. This element of the disclaimer includes any complementary medicine, non-prescription over…

Clinical Study from the Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group (AGITG) STOPNET

Disclaimer:Please also note that mention of a clinical service, trial/study or therapy does not constitute an endorsement of that service, trial/study or therapy by Ronny Allan, the information is provided for education and awareness purposes and/or related to Ronny Allan’s own patient experience. This element of the disclaimer includes any complementary medicine, non-prescription over the…

SYHX2008: A New Self‑Injectable subcutaneous Long‑acting Octreotide on the Horizon for NETs

Disclaimer:Please also note that mention of a clinical service, trial/study or therapy does not constitute an endorsement of that service, trial/study or therapy by Ronny Allan, the information is provided for education and awareness purposes and/or related to Ronny Allan’s own patient experience. This element of the disclaimer includes any complementary medicine, non-prescription over the…

Small tumours – big impact

Many Neuroendocrine Tumours are small.  Not my words but I first discovered the term in 2021 when reading the words of Dr Mark Lewis, Oncologist and NET Patient.  He himself, was citing this term referencing back to giants in the world of NETs over many decades.  There was a seminal lecture entitled “An Odyssey in…

The Invisibility of Neuroendocrine Tumours (NET) – an awareness post by Ronny Allan

“Invisible cancer” typically refers to malignancies that evade early detection or disguise themselves as other common, non-life-threatening ailments. This term is very frequently associated with Neuroendocrine Tumours which are very often difficult to spot on standard imaging and blood tests. When I was diagnosed, I didn’t even feel ill. It was therefore a bit of…

Spotlight on Ovarian Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

  Disclaimer: The information in this Spotlight is provided for general information and education only. It is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified healthcare professional, nor to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Always discuss your individual situation, symptoms, test results, and treatment options with your own doctor…

Ronny Allan’s Newsletter covering May 2026

Just back from holiday thus why the late publication!  Summary of May 2026 on RonnyAllan.NET I think the main story of May is similar to March and April which was a strong blog performance.  Other key targets met were the two main primary NET types (small intestine and pancreas) and one not so common(thymus) have finally been…

Fat‑Soluble Vitamins in Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs): Why Deficiency Happens and Who Is Most at Risk

This blog provides general educational information only. It does not offer medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should always consult their clinical team for personalised guidance.   Introduction: What Are Fat‑Soluble Vitamins? Fat‑soluble vitamins — A, D, E and K — are nutrients that can only be absorbed when dietary fat is digested properly. They…

Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) – A Spotlight on Vitamin B9 (Folate)

Before you read thisThis information is designed to help you understand how vitamins work in the body and how certain NET-related factors might affect them. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Every NET patient is different — tumour type, treatments, surgery, symptoms, and nutritional needs can vary widely. If you have concerns…

Neuroendocrine Tumours – A Spotlight on Vitamin E (Tocopherols & Tocotrienols)

🟧A general‑population overview with NET‑specific considerations where relevant. Disclaimer: This Spotlight provides general educational information about Vitamin E. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Individual needs vary, particularly for those with conditions affecting digestion or absorption. Always consult your medical team before making changes to supplements or nutrition. What is Vitamin E? Vitamin…

Neuroendocrine Tumours – A Spotlight on Vitamin A (Retinol)

Disclaimer: This Spotlight provides general educational information about Vitamin A. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Individual needs vary, particularly for those with conditions affecting digestion, absorption, or liver function. Always consult your medical team before making changes to supplements or nutrition. 🟧A general‑population overview with NET‑specific considerations where relevant. What is Vitamin…

A spotlight on Colon Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

Disclaimer: This Spotlight is for general information only and should not be used as a substitute for personalised medical advice. Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are diverse, and individual cases vary. Always discuss your specific situation, test results, and treatment options with your own specialist team. Content reflects current evidence and classifications at the time of writing…

Spotlight on Thymic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (Thymic NENs)

Disclaimer:The information in this Spotlight is for general education and awareness. It does not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Thymic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs) are complex and highly variable, and individual cases may differ significantly from the patterns described here.  Always discuss your own situation, test results, and treatment options with your specialist team,…

An unmissable update from Ronny Allan covering April 2026

A monthly update not to miss…….. Summary of April 2026 on RonnyAllan.NET I think the main story of April is similar to March which was a strong blog performance.  Some of March was so popular that it has rolled into April and I have tried to beat those figures but failed due to external pressures. Nonetheless,…

Spotlight on Small intestine Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (siNENs)

DisclaimerThis Spotlight is for general education and reassurance only. It cannot replace personalised advice from your own medical team, who understand your individual history, imaging, pathology, and treatment needs. Neuroendocrine tumours vary widely in behaviour, presentation, and management, and guidance may evolve as new evidence emerges. If you have questions about your diagnosis, symptoms, or…

A Spotlight on Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

DisclaimerThe information in this Spotlight is for general education only. It cannot replace advice from your own medical team, who know your individual situation, test results, and treatment options. Neuroendocrine Neoplasms and related conditions are complex and research is evolving; guidance, classifications, and statistics may change over time. Always discuss any questions or concerns with…

Neuroendocrine Cancer in UK – a growing crisis?

I was delighted to read about the efforts of Dr Arthur Scott, a Member of the UK Parliament (MP).  He is a great advocate for cancer patients and recently introduced a rare cancer bill in the UK Parliament which will hopefully make a difference. The content was very interesting and I was drawn to several…

Bone Metastases in Well‑Differentiated NETs – Part 2 – Treatment

DisclaimerThis information is for education and reassurance only.It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Bone metastases in neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) vary widely in behaviour, appearance, and clinical significance. Decisions about systemic therapy, radiotherapy, ablation, bone‑targeted agents, surgery, or monitoring must be made by your own specialist NET team, who understand…

Neuroendocrine Tumours – Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Before you read thisThis information is designed to help you understand how vitamins work in the body and how certain NET-related factors might affect them. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Every NET patient is different — tumour type, treatments, surgery, symptoms, and nutritional needs can vary widely. If you have concerns…

March 2026 Newsletter from Ronny Allan

Here is my monthly summary of March 2026 on RonnyAllan.NET This has been a very good month but to be honest, I had more time at home and on my computer, due to illness.  OK I was not that ill that I could not tap away at a keyboard!  However, it was pretty erratic access.   I…

Understanding Differentiation, Ki‑67, Mitotic Count, Hotspots, Pathology Workflow, and Primary–Metastasis Heterogeneity in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs)

Before you read this… This article discusses pathology concepts such as Ki-67, grading, heterogeneity, and biopsy findings in neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). It is provided for educational purposes only and does not interpret any individual pathology report or scan result. Ki-67 values, tumour grade, and sampling limitations can vary between different biopsies and over time. Their…


Discover more from Ronny Allan - Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer

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By Ronny Allan

Ronny Allan is a 3 x award-winning accredited patient leader advocating internationally for Neuroendocrine Cancer and all other cancer patients generally. Check out his Social Media accounts including Facebook, BlueSky, WhatsApp, Instagram and and X.

One thought on “Health Union Accredits Ronny Allan as a Certified Patient Leader – February 2025

  • Marsha Stein

    Ronny Allen’s e-mails on neuroendocrine cancer, recommended by a friend who has the same neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer as does my husband, have been a wealth of information and a comfort in knowing how well others are able to live with this incurable but treatable rare type of cancer. We have recommended Ronny Allen’s site to others when we have learned of someone who has NETs.

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