Tributes paid as Saddleworth mum and breast cancer campaigner Jo passes away, aged 56
Date published: 05 November 2025
Jo Taylor pictured ahead of taking part in the Saddleworth Three Peaks challenge in 2022
The Board of Trustees of METUPUK, the leading UK-wide patient advocacy charity for people with metastatic breast cancer, has announced the heart-breaking news of the death of its founder, dear friend, dedicated colleague and tireless advocate Jo Taylor.
Saddleworth mum Jo died peacefully on November 3 at the age of 56 following many years living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
Throughout this, Jo lived an incredibly full and active life; she was “busy living with mets”.
Jo was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 38 in 2007 and quickly realised that there was a lack of information available for patients to support their decision-making for surgery and other treatments.
This led her to set up ABC Diagnosis, an organisation providing support and exercise retreats for people with breast cancer.
In 2014, Jo was sadly diagnosed with MBC.
Over the last 12 years she underwent 15 surgeries and had over 190 individual treatments to prolong her survival.
She developed metastatic breast cancer infographics to help primary patients recognise red flag symptoms of metastatic/secondary breast cancer.
Then, after meeting with the Founder of US charity METUP, Beth Caldwell, Jo set up METUPUK in 2016 to create real change for people living with MBC through influencing government and health systems.
She was impressed with METUP’s work to change the landscape of metastatic cancer through patient advocacy and direct action in the US, and believed the same approach was needed in the UK. METUPUK became a registered charity in 2021 with Jo as its first Chair.
Jo, a hugely popular figure locally and beyond, was more than a campaigner; she was the very heart and soul of METUPUK.
Her pioneering campaigning to increase public awareness and education about MBC and to drive the charity’s strategic objectives around research and access to drugs, and patient treatment and care elevated METUPUK’s mission and inspired people across the world.
In 2021, Jo launched the Darker Side of Pink Exhibition, an installation of 31, dark pink life-size Perspex figurines representing the 31 women who die of metastatic breast cancer every day in the United Kingdom.
Each figurine has a QR code linking to a video of that woman speaking about the issues she faces living with a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer.
The installation has toured across England, Wales and Scotland Jo was supported by her MP Debbie Abrahams getting the installation to the Houses of Parliament.
Jo touched countless lives and drove extraordinary change.
She received several awards for her work including the National Lottery “Local Health Hero” award and Women in Marketing’s “Best Leader in Creating Change in Health and Wellness”, both in 2023, and the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s New Year Honours 2025.
"We are devastated by this loss," said Laura Ashurst, METUPUK Trustee.
“Jo’s passion and commitment to increasing the visibility of people living with metastatic breast cancer was unwavering and she was one of the most knowledgeable people you could meet on the subject of this disease, which will affect up to 30% of breast cancer patients and will cause virtually all breast cancer deaths, 31 deaths in the UK every day.”
Jo refused to rest as these deaths continued, while governments and health systems forgot and failed people with MBC and their families.
Her passion was resolute, and her approach was focused, authentic and direct.
She wanted governments, politicians and policymakers to listen and to act for better outcomes and survival.
The impact of Jo’s work will continue to be felt by everyone locally and across the UK affected by MBC, and the team at METUPUK will continue to campaign for change in her memory.
Jo Taylor will be remembered for her good humour despite her understandable anger at the injustices she perceived and her dogged determination to speak up for those of us living with MBC.
The METUPUK Board of Trustees has extended their deepest condolences to Jo’s husband, Jeff and their two children Regan and Faron and all those who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to ABC Diagnosis (abcdiagnosis.co.uk) and METUPUK to continue Jo’s vital work.
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