23 July marks International #hellomynameis Day, a day dedicated to promoting compassionate, person-centred care through one simple but powerful act – introducing yourself.
The campaign was founded by Dr Kate Granger, a doctor and cancer patient who recognised that healthcare is about far more than diagnosis and treatment. It starts with human connection.
For people diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, that connection can make all the difference. Life can change in an instant. One appointment, one scan result, one conversation can suddenly transform the future you thought you had planned. In those moments, the words spoken by healthcare professionals matter enormously. But so too does something much simpler – the way they introduce themselves.
The #hellomynameis campaign was created after Dr Kate Granger noticed that many healthcare professionals caring for her during cancer treatment failed to introduce themselves. What may seem like a small omission had a profound impact. She believed that saying “Hello, my name is…” is much more than good manners – it is the beginning of trust, compassion and a therapeutic relationship.
A Diagnosis People Never Forget
At HASAG, we support individuals and families affected by mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural thickening. Through our work, we hear countless stories from people who vividly remember the day they first received their diagnosis.
Some remember healthcare professionals who took the time to sit down, introduce themselves and explain what was happening with kindness and empathy. Others recall feeling overwhelmed, rushed or alone during what was one of the most significant conversations of their lives.
No healthcare professional can change the diagnosis itself. However, the way in which that diagnosis is communicated can have a lasting impact on patients and their families. A simple introduction can reassure someone that they are being treated as a person, not simply as a diagnosis.
Why It Matters for People Affected by Asbestos Disease
People living with asbestos-related diseases often face a complex journey involving tests, scans, specialist appointments and difficult decisions. Many are trying to absorb life-changing information while coping with uncertainty about the future.
In these circumstances, patients deserve more than clinical expertise. They deserve compassion.
The principles behind #hellomynameis are particularly relevant for those affected by asbestos disease. Behind every diagnosis is a person with a unique story, a family, a career and a lifetime of experiences. Taking a moment to introduce yourself acknowledges that humanity and helps establish the trust that is at the heart of good healthcare.
For many mesothelioma patients, healthcare professionals become a significant part of their lives, often supporting them through treatment, symptom management and difficult conversations. Trust and understanding are built through countless interactions, and those relationships often begin with the simplest of introductions.
HASAG’s Commitment to Putting People First
At HASAG, putting people first is at the centre of everything we do.
Whether we are providing emotional support, helping families access benefits, signposting services or supporting individuals through the challenges of living with asbestos disease, we believe every person deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion.
The values promoted by the #hellomynameis campaign closely reflect our own. Kindness matters. Communication matters. Human connection matters.
Every day, HASAG works alongside patients and families at some of the most challenging moments in their lives. Through practical support, advocacy and a compassionate listening ear, we help ensure that nobody faces an asbestos-related diagnosis alone.
As we mark International #hellomynameis Day, it is worth reflecting on the lasting impact that a single interaction can have. A warm introduction cannot change a diagnosis, but it can change how a person experiences it. It can reduce fear, build trust and remind patients that they are being cared for not just as cases, but as people.
That message lies at the heart of both the #hellomynameis campaign and HASAG’s work – recognising the individual behind the diagnosis and ensuring that compassion remains central to healthcare.
Because sometimes the most important words in healthcare are also the simplest:
“Hello, my name is…“
