In Memoriam: Donna Clark, RN, BSN, OCN

Oncology Nursing News contributor, Donna Clark, RN, BSN, OCN, passed away on February 4, 2020, leaving a lasting legacy on the world of oncology nursing. She considered herself a “dual citizen” on both sides of the cancer spectrum, as a clinical cancer nurse at the Mitchell Cancer Institute in Fairhope, Alabama, and as an endometrial cancer survivor herself.

Clark, a member of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), was chosen as a nursing advocate for the 2017 ONS Capitol Hill Days Conference in Washington, D.C. She wrote about the experience in a blog:

“I have the pleasure to wear two distinct congruent advocacy hats in my dual citizenship role as an oncology nurse and as an advanced endometrial cancer survivor.

“It was an incredible experience to walk the halls of our U.S. Capitol Building to help educate elected officials and their staff on legislation that affects cancer care. I asked them to co-sponsor a few choice bills that ONS champions.”

She also encouraged other nurses to advocate, too, when she wrote, “Contact your legislators to make that difference. Be the advocate for patients with cancer who need your voice to advocate for them. Be the nurse to advocate for your fellow nurses. The world awaits your personal stories.”

Clark found inspiration in her patients and other nurses, and made it a point to say, “I care about you,” to all the people she treated.

Her unique voice and inspirational insights will be sorely missed by all who knew her.