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ENOLA WRIGHT AWARDED BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL IN KING’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS FOR SERVICES TO THE INSULINOMA COMMUNITY
Enola Wright, Founder and Chair of Insulinoma Charity UK, from West Mersea, Essex, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours 2026 as Founder, Insulinoma Charity UK, for services to the insulinoma community.
Enola founded the Insulinoma Support Network in 2007 following her diagnosis with a metastatic insulinoma. An insulinoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumour with an incidence of approximately 1 to 4 cases per million people each year. The condition can cause severe and potentially life-threatening hypoglycaemia and, for some individuals, may become a life limiting illness.
Over the past 19 years, her work has helped patients and families access trusted information, peer support and advocacy. She has also played a leading role in pioneering patient led research to improve understanding of insulinoma and the experiences of those living with an insulinoma. Despite its rarity, the Insulinoma Support Network now supports more than 2,845 people worldwide through dedicated online support groups for individuals with suspected insulinoma, biochemically diagnosed insulinoma, metastatic insulinoma, insulinomatosis, NIPHS and bereavement.
At the time of her diagnosis, Enola wanted to meet just one other person with an insulinoma. There was no dedicated support organisation in the United Kingdom for people affected by an insulinoma and, beyond medical journals and academic literature, very little information was available to patients and their families. Determined that others should not face the same isolation, uncertainty and lack of information that she experienced, Enola established what has become the largest insulinoma peer support community in the world.
In 2023, Enola founded Insulinoma Charity UK, the first UK registered charity dedicated exclusively to supporting people affected by an insulinoma.
The charity is entirely volunteer led, with no paid staff, salaries or overheads. Every volunteer has a personal experience of being diagnosed with an insulinoma. This shared lived experience shapes the charity’s support, advocacy, awareness and research activities, ensuring that patients remain at the heart of everything it does.
Her contribution has previously been recognised through the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award and as one of 500 Coronation Champions selected by the Royal Voluntary Service. She has also served as an Insulinoma Patient Expert for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), helping to ensure the patient voice is represented in national healthcare decision making.
Commenting on the award, Enola said:
“I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive the British Empire Medal.
When I founded the Insulinoma Support Network in 2007, I was searching for something I could not find myself: another person who understood what it was like to live with an insulinoma. My hope was simply to connect people and ensure no one felt as alone as I did at diagnosis. I never imagined that it would grow into the largest insulinoma peer support community and the UK’s first charity dedicated exclusively to supporting people affected by an insulinoma.
This award belongs to every patient, to those we have lost to this disease, to every carer, family member, volunteer, healthcare professional, researcher, fundraiser and supporter who has shared this journey and helped improve the lives of people affected by an insulinoma.
I would also like to acknowledge my dear friend Paula Davis, who nominated me for this award. Paula was the first person I met face to face living with an insulinoma, made possible through the Insulinoma Support Network. Our friendship spanned 18 years, during which we supported one another through the many challenges of living with this rare condition. Paula became a founding trustee of Insulinoma Charity UK and a tireless advocate for the insulinoma community. Sadly, she died from a metastatic insulinoma on 14 February 2026. I am humbled to accept the British Empire Medal in her memory, and in recognition of all those we have lost to this disease.
Most importantly, I hope this recognition helps raise awareness of insulinomas and the challenges faced by people living with rare diseases. No one should have to face a rare diagnosis alone.”
Despite facing ongoing significant health challenges of her own, including a metastatic insulinoma, a second unrelated cancer, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, autoimmune disease and achalasia, Enola has dedicated the past 19 years to ensuring that no one affected by an insulinoma has to face the journey alone, providing support, information, advocacy and a sense of community to thousands of patients and families.
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Coronation Champion Volunteers Award
Enola Wright, Founder of the Insulinoma Support Network is proud to be officially crowned a Coronation Champion
It’s an honour to receive one of the #CoronationChampionsAwards launched by @RoyalVoluntaryService with Her Majesty The Queen Consort.
Coronation Champion Award
Enola Wright 2121st recipient of Points of Light Award.
Points of light award
The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has recognised Enola Wright for her dedication to improving the lives of people living with this rare neuroendocrine tumour. In August 2023, Enola became the 2121st recipient of Downing Street’s daily Points of Light Award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers who are making a change in their community. Find out more: https://www.pointsoflight.gov.uk/insulinoma-support-network/
Insulinoma Charity UK (ICUK)
Insulinoma Charity UK (ICUK)
ICUK is fully committed to ensuring that patients, as well as their families and caregivers, receive the necessary support and information they need to manage this rare condition effectively. The establishment of Insulinoma Charity UK marks a significant milestone in the charity’s journey to promote awareness and understanding of insulinomas.