As Ovechkin closes in on History, here are some of sports' most hallowed records

Alex Ovechkin is on the brink of making hockey history, closing in on Wayne Gretzky's legendary NHL record of 894 career regular-season goals. The Washington Capitals star, now 39, has until April 17 to surpass this milestone or wait for another season. As of April 4, Ovechkin was just one goal shy at 893 after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks with Gretzky himself watching from the stands. "It's just a matter of time," Gretzky told NHL.com last September. "He's a great player. He's a great goal scorer." Gretzky's record has stood since his final season in 1999 with the New York Rangers. He also holds the combined regular-season and playoff goals record at 1,016, with Ovechkin trailing by about 50 goals. Ovechkin has spent his entire career with the Capitals, leading them to their first Stanley Cup win in 2018 and setting several records along the way. Known for his vibrant personality off the ice, he once played a Russian spy in an ESPN commercial and celebrated victories by swimming in public fountains. As Ovechkin approaches this monumental achievement, it's worth noting other iconic sports records: Wayne Gretzky’s NHL Points Record Wayne Gretzky’s 2,857 career points and 1,963 assists remain untouched in NHL history. Even if he never scored a single goal, his assists alone would still make him the league’s all-time points leader. Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-Point Game On March 2, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a single game — a feat no one in NBA history has come close to matching. He also holds six of the 15 total 70-plus point games ever recorded. Cal Ripken Jr.’s Consecutive Games Played Cal Ripken Jr. played 2,632 consecutive MLB games over 17 seasons, breaking Lou Gehrig’s once-untouchable streak of 2,130. He kept going for another 502 games after setting the record before choosing to finally sit out. Caitlin Clark’s NCAA Scoring Record Iowa’s Caitlin Clark shattered the NCAA Division I all-time scoring record with 3,951 points, surpassing “Pistol” Pete Maravich’s 54-year-old mark. She also set a WNBA rookie assists record after being drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever in 2024. Jack Nicklaus’ Major Titles Record Jack Nicklaus won a record 18 major golf championships between 1962 and 1986, including six Masters and five PGA Championships. Tiger Woods came close with 15, but Nicklaus also holds a staggering 19 runner-up finishes in majors. 1972 Miami Dolphins’ Perfect Season The 1972 Miami Dolphins went 17-0, the only team in NFL history to complete a perfect season capped by a Super Bowl win. Every year, surviving team members famously toast champagne when the last unbeaten team finally loses. Lakers’ 33-Game Winning Streak The 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers won 33 straight regular-season games, the longest streak in NBA history. Only LeBron’s 2013 Heat and Steph Curry’s Warriors have come remotely close — but neither broke the record. Joe DiMaggio’s 56-Game Hitting Streak In 1941, Joe DiMaggio hit safely in 56 straight games, batting .408 over that stretch with 15 homers. No one has come closer than Pete Rose’s 44-game streak in the more than 80 years since. Eric Dickerson’s Single-Season Rushing Record In 1984, Eric Dickerson rushed for 2,105 yards in a single season — a record that has withstood the test of time, even with the NFL’s move to 17 games. Adrian Peterson came closest in 2012, finishing just 8 yards short. UConn Women’s Basketball 111-Game Win Streak Between 2014 and 2017, UConn’s women’s basketball team won an incredible 111 straight games, including four national titles. The streak ended in the 2017 Final Four with a buzzer-beater loss to Mississippi State — but their dominance still defines the era. Whether or not Ovechkin breaks Gretzky's record this year or next, his pursuit adds another thrilling chapter to sports history.

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AI-Assisted Mammograms Could Spot Breast Cancer Sooner, Study Finds

A new study out of Sweden suggests artificial intelligence could help catch breast cancer earlier — and reduce the number of deadly cases that slip through the cracks. Involving more than 100,000 women, the study found that A.I.-assisted mammography screenings led to fewer missed cancers and earlier diagnoses compared to the standard approach of having two radiologists examine breast X-rays. The results, published January 29 in The Lancet, are raising hopes that A.I. could improve detection while easing the workload on medical staff. Breast cancer deaths have already dropped significantly over the past few decades, largely thanks to more widespread screening and better treatment. In the U.S., mortality rates have fallen by 44 percent since 1989. But experts say there's still room for improvement — particularly when it comes to interval cancers, which are diagnosed between regular screenings and tend to be more aggressive. That’s where A.I. could help. In the Swedish trial, about half the participants followed the country’s usual protocol: having two radiologists interpret each mammogram. The rest had their images reviewed by a commercially available A.I. program, which flagged high-risk cases for additional review while clearing low-risk ones for a single human reader. The results were promising. Women in the A.I.-assisted group had 12 percent fewer interval cancers compared to those in the traditional group. More significantly, there was a 16 percent drop in interval cancers that had already started invading healthy tissue. Overall, about 81 percent of cancers in the A.I. group were caught during routine screenings, compared to 74 percent in the control group. “Widely rolling out A.I.-supported mammography in breast cancer screening programs could help reduce workload pressures among radiologists, as well as helping to detect more cancers at an early stage, including those with aggressive subtypes,” said Kristina Lång, a breast radiologist at Lund University and one of the study’s authors, in a comment to The Guardian. In addition to catching more cancers, A.I. also appeared to make screening more efficient. Previous research from the same clinical trial suggested a 44 percent reduction in the time radiologists spent reading scans, without lowering the overall cancer detection rate. Globally, breast cancer remains a huge concern. According to the World Health Organization, 2.3 million women were diagnosed with it in 2022, making it the most common cancer in 157 countries. Still, experts caution that more research is needed before A.I. becomes a standard part of screening programs. “Using A.I. to assist in reading mammograms can be more efficient, but there’s a concern that it can lead to missing some cancers,” said Sowmiya Moorthie, a senior strategic evidence manager at Cancer Research UK, who was not involved in the study. “This study helps to address concerns, but the results are from a single center, so more research will be needed to know for sure if this will help save lives.” Cost is another factor. Interval cancers are often diagnosed at later stages, which makes them much more expensive to treat. In Canada, the cost can hit $100,000 per patient, according to Jean Seely, a breast imaging specialist at the Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa. “This is something that is not only saving lives, but saving public health dollars,” Seely told CBC News, referring to A.I.-supported screening. She’s already been using A.I. tools in her own practice and sees the technology as a helpful ally for overburdened radiologists. While the idea of using artificial intelligence in medical settings still raises concerns, this study adds weight to the argument that it could become a reliable and effective support system — not a replacement — for doctors in the fight against breast cancer.

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Veteran Athletes are Shining at the 2026 Olympics, Proving Age Is Just a Number

Gus Kenworthy didn’t expect to be here again — standing at the top of a halfpipe, knees aching, heart pounding, chasing one last Olympic run. But less than a year before the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, the 34-year-old freeskier and three-time Olympian is doing just that. After retiring in 2022, Kenworthy built a vibrant life: acting gigs, fashion shoots, advocacy work. On paper, he had it all. But inside, something felt missing. “Saying anything other than, ‘I’m a professional skier,’ felt wrong,” he says. “I felt a loss of my sense of identity.” He found his spark again in a place he didn’t expect — watching Lindsey Vonn make her own comeback at age 40, returning to the World Cup podium just months after coming out of a six-year retirement. If she could do it, he thought, why not him? “To see her do that and it pay off, and her prove she’s still that girl, I was like, ‘I’m still that girl, too,’” Kenworthy says with a laugh. But he’s not joking. He’s joined by a cohort of fellow comeback athletes rewriting what’s possible — and what’s worth fighting for — in elite sports. Nick Goepper, his old teammate and Olympic medalist, is back too, this time switching from slopestyle to halfpipe. And Maddy Schaffrick, who quit snowboarding at 20, has returned at 31 to make her first Olympic team. Breaking Away, Coming Back Ten years ago, Maddy Schaffrick was a rising star in halfpipe snowboarding. But a string of knee surgeries and paralyzing anxiety forced her into early retirement. She walked away at 20 and tried to forget that snowboarding had ever been a part of her life. “I would just dissociate,” she says of her final contests. “I didn’t land a lot of runs those last few years because I felt fear.” She became a plumber’s apprentice in Steamboat Springs. A coaching job came later — at first, just a way to get a free season pass. But gradually, being around young athletes helped her heal. She saw that snowboarding could still be joyful. Over time, something shifted. She noticed there was space in the women’s field — the level of tricks hadn’t progressed as rapidly as she’d expected. Her body felt stronger. Her mindset was different. She tested the waters. In her first World Cup back — Beijing, 2024 — she finished third. “I feel like I’m finally figuring out how to be the person I’ve always wanted to be,” Schaffrick says. But her comeback hasn’t been without criticism. Some accused her of taking opportunities away from younger riders, of blurring lines as a former coach. “Their view is that what I’m doing is unethical,” she says. “But I hope I can inspire your daughter.” For Schaffrick, it’s simple: she’s answering the call of her younger self — the one who never got to see this dream through. “When I realized that my inner voice is never going to go away, but all the outside voices eventually will, that’s when I was like, ‘I can’t turn my back on this.’” The Rebirth of Nick Goepper Nick Goepper was done with slopestyle after the 2022 Games. The pressure, the image, the expectations — it was too much. He’d battled depression and gone to rehab. But he still loved skiing. So he did something radical: he switched disciplines. “To pick a similar discipline and try to master it felt like a fun project,” he says. “And that’s what I love: mastery.” Wearing jeans and a cat T-shirt, he returned to the X Games in 2025 with no sponsors and no expectations. He won silver. Later, he qualified for the Olympic team — again. “I’m not just somebody with logos all over me. I’m a real person with real values,” he says. “I want to be the awkward Midwestern kid in an emo wig talking about anxiety and depression.” Lindsey Vonn: Chasing the Finish Line One More Time Lindsey Vonn shocked the ski world when she announced her return in 2025. She had a new knee — literally, a partial replacement — and was skiing pain-free for the first time in years. Within months, she was winning again. But not everyone welcomed her comeback. Critics called her "mad." Others questioned her motives. Vonn didn’t flinch. “I’m not doing this for anyone else,” she says. “I know what I’m capable of.” Even after rupturing her ACL weeks before the Olympics, Vonn refused to step back. “What’s 90 seconds in a lifetime? It’s nothing,” she says. “As long as there’s a chance, I will try.” ‘This One’s For Me’ For Kenworthy, this comeback isn’t about medals or media attention. At his first Olympics, he was closeted. At his second, he was newly out and carrying the weight of representation. At his third, he competed for Great Britain to honor his mother. This time? “This one’s for me,” he says, wiping away tears. “I made a really deliberate choice to come back and put myself and my body on the line again. I’m proud of that.” Seven months before the Games, Schaffrick is already reflecting on what it all means. “It takes a lot of courage,” she says. “And I’m hoping we’re living in an era of courage.” Together, they’re redefining what success looks like: not just winning, but showing up fully — knees aching, fears acknowledged — and doing it anyway.

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This UPS Driver Just Rushed Into a Burning Home to Save a 101-Year-Old Woman in California

Willy Esquivel was just doing his job when he became a hero. The UPS driver was on his usual delivery route in Santa Ana, California, on January 15 when he noticed something was off. Neighbors were frantically trying to contain smoke pouring out of a nearby condo — the home of 101-year-old Ann Edwards, who lives alone. Esquivel didn’t hesitate. According to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), he entered the smoke-filled home, found Edwards disoriented and reluctant to leave, and carried her outside to safety. “I just did what I thought was right,” Esquivel told KTLA. “At the end of the day, she’s someone’s mother, someone’s grandmother, great-grandmother.” By the time firefighters arrived, neighbors had already jumped into action as well. One used a fire extinguisher to help knock down the flames in the kitchen. Another, a roofer by trade, climbed onto the roof with a garden hose and sprayed water through the kitchen vent. A video shared by the fire department showed heavy smoke pouring out of the building. Despite the intensity of the fire, everyone made it out safely. Edwards was hospitalized as a precaution but is expected to recover fully. Her son, Rick, called Esquivel’s response “life-saving.” “I’m grateful for him sticking with her and getting her out of there,” he said. The fire department praised everyone involved: “A remarkable outcome made possible by quick action, teamwork, and people looking out for one another in a moment of need,” the OCFA wrote on X. Esquivel downplayed his role, insisting he was simply in the right place at the right time. But his actions — and those of the neighbors — were anything but ordinary. Most days, delivery drivers go unnoticed. But on that day, Esquivel’s instinct and courage made all the difference.

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A K-9 Hero Just Helped Rescue a Missing North Carolina Boy During a Snowstorm

A 13-year-old boy with special needs is home safe after going missing during a fierce snowstorm in Gastonia, North Carolina — thanks in large part to a determined police dog named Bo. The boy wandered away from his home Saturday night at the height of the storm, wearing no appropriate cold-weather gear, according to the Gastonia Police Department. Temperatures had plunged below freezing, with several inches of snow falling on top of previous accumulations. “This child was at serious risk due to the dangerously cold and snowy conditions,” the department said. Multiple local agencies launched a search. K-9 officer Bo was brought in and given an item of the child’s clothing to track his scent. Working through thick snow and freezing winds, Bo picked up the trail and began tracking. Meanwhile, officers from the police department, the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, and emergency services crews set up a secure perimeter. Eventually, the boy wandered into that area and was spotted by EMS teams. He was cold, but unharmed. The police department credited “quick action, strong teamwork and the dedication of everyone involved” for the successful outcome — and gave special praise to Bo, who ended the night covered in snow after tracking through harsh conditions. Gastonia, a city of about 80,000 located just west of Charlotte, had been hit hard by recent winter weather. Bo’s efforts won widespread appreciation online, where the department shared a photo of the K-9 looking stoic and snow-dusted after the rescue.

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John Biever Has Photographed Every Super Bowl — And Super Bowl 60 Might Be His Last

When Super Bowl LX kicks off on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium, photographers will flood the sidelines, lenses poised to capture every hit, pass, and celebration. But only one of them will have a perfect streak: John Biever. The 74-year-old has photographed every Super Bowl since the very first one in 1967. This year’s matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will mark his 60th — a feat no one else in the business can claim. “Coming to the 60th Super Bowl now and—‘Wow!’—I’ve been very fortunate,” said Biever, reflecting on his extraordinary run. Biever’s story starts with a different dynasty: the Green Bay Packers of the 1960s. His father, Vern Biever, was the Packers’ official team photographer and began teaching John the craft when he was just a kid. By 14, John was already on the sidelines with a professional camera. “How many kids can grab a professional camera at that age and get on the field of the championship game? Not too many,” Biever said. “But then you’ve got to come along with the goods, too, so I guess I did that eventually.” At the 1965 NFL championship, Biever snapped a black-and-white photo of Packers quarterback Bart Starr preparing to hand off the ball. The image was published in Look magazine — a huge moment for a teenager. A year later, he wandered the sidelines at the very first Super Bowl, capturing moments few others could. One of his favorite shots from that inaugural game? Vince Lombardi jogging off the field after Green Bay’s win over Kansas City. “That photo’s special because my dad is also in the picture,” Biever said. The following year brought one of football’s most legendary moments: the Ice Bowl. With the temperature at minus-13 degrees in Green Bay, Biever captured the game-winning quarterback sneak by Bart Starr. His photo — taken from the end zone — shows Starr plunging behind a wall of blockers. It remains the only photo hanging in Biever’s home. “My dad was over photographing Lombardi and Lombardi just turned and ran to the locker room. That was it,” Biever said. “He got nothing and I got the winning play of the Ice Bowl.” For three decades, Biever shot Super Bowls for Sports Illustrated, capturing generations of stars. More recently, he’s photographed the big game on assignment for the NFL. “Still photography is about the fleeting moment. That’s what John is best at capturing,” said Jamie Squire, a Getty Images veteran. “That split-second moment that lives on forever.” Now living in San Diego, Biever turns 75 just nine days after this year’s Super Bowl. He says Super Bowl LX will likely be his last — but he’s not dwelling on it. He’s focused, as always, on finding that spontaneous, unforgettable shot. “I still look forward to capturing the moment everyone will remember,” he said.

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‘Honeymoon, Shmunymoon’: Newlyweds Spend Wedding Night Rescuing Injured Bird

Most couples spend their wedding night basking in post-ceremony bliss. Erica and Bob Nash spent theirs saving a starving red kite. The couple had just tied the knot at Skipton Registry Office when a text came through from Craven Wildlife Rescue. A red kite had been spotted in distress near Wetherby, West Yorkshire. Erica, a dedicated volunteer with the charity, didn’t think twice. “We’d just got home to Colne, still grinning from the day, when the call came in from Jane, the founder at the rescue,” Erica recalled. “She said it was a long shot, but asked if anyone could get to the other side of Leeds.” Erica’s response? “Honeymoon, shmunymoon, I’m on my way!” With Bob behind the wheel and wedding chocolates for the road, the couple drove to Harrogate. There, they met a young couple who had found the injured bird and gently wrapped it in a jumper. “When I picked it up, I could feel there was no meat on its chest,” Erica said. “Its sternum was poking out. It was really, really sad to feel that.” They named the bird Duffy. Erica cradled it in her lap for the journey to Skipton, dimming the lights and covering its head with a blanket to keep it calm. Duffy was later transferred to Craven Wildlife Rescue in Horton in Ribblesdale. The bird had an old wound on one wing and was emaciated. It’s now receiving fluids, antibiotics, and pain relief. “We're praying for a happy ending,” said Erica. “Time will tell, but it's getting the best treatment that it could possibly get.” Erica said the rescue centre has been life-changing for her mental health. “I get up in the morning and I cannot wait to get there,” she said. “My life actually does feel like it revolves around the rescue, but in a good way.” The centre, which has seen a sharp rise in wildlife admissions this year, praised the Nashes’ dedication. “The rise in the number of birds has been astounding this year,” said co-founder Jane Carpenter. “Birds continue to be persecuted, poisoned, hit by cars, orphaned — and whatever we can do to help them in their hour of need, we will do it.” For Erica and Bob, their wedding night may not have been typical — but it was perfectly them.

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Meet Merlin the Therapy Sheep: How One Yorkshire Flock Is Helping People Heal

Grace Olson never expected her pet sheep to become therapists. But Merlin, a gentle Texel cross with a knack for sensing pain, had other plans. The Leeds-based therapist, who originally trained in equine-assisted therapy, was holding a session with a grieving widow when Merlin walked straight over and gently pressed his head against her knee. “She bent down to cuddle him and laughed,” Olson said. “She hadn’t even smiled for a year. It was brilliant.” That moment changed everything. Merlin kept doing it — gently approaching clients who were hurting, wordlessly offering comfort. “It was like he just knew when someone was distressed,” Olson said. “He’s like a person in a sheep’s body.” Since then, she’s expanded her flock to five sheep, who now assist her in therapy sessions with clients — many of whom are living with terminal illness. Olson says their calm presence and quiet energy help people relax, especially those who might find traditional talk therapy overwhelming. The sessions take place outdoors, surrounded by nature and the soft rustle of woolly companions. Clients stroke the sheep, sometimes just sit quietly beside them, and often open up more than they would in a clinic. Olson is now writing a book about her experience, with the hope of using its proceeds to offer therapy free of charge to people with cancer and other life-limiting conditions. What began as an unplanned interaction with a curious sheep has grown into something much deeper — a quietly powerful form of emotional support with hooves, fleece, and an uncanny sense of timing.

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‘Gorgeous and Flamboyant’: Museum Wins Award for its Unforgettable Toilets

A museum in Dorset, England, has been crowned the UK’s quirkiest lavatory stop after winning big at the 2025 Loo of the Year Awards. The Sherborne, housed in the restored 18th Century Sherborne House, picked up the Quirky Award for its “beautiful and sumptuous” toilet facilities — which have become a surprise hit with visitors. “This is exactly the sort of thing we’d love to be known for,” said chief executive Liz Gilmore. “We do have the most gorgeous and flamboyant toilets. We couldn’t be prouder.” Describing them as “an experience in themselves,” Gilmore highlighted the vivid design touches: the women’s loos are filled with tropical birds and plants, complete with red velvet furniture. The men’s feature an underwater theme with “gorgeous fish and incredible hues of colour.” The museum, which reopened in 2024 following a three-year, multi-million pound restoration, was nominated for the award by an anonymous member of the public. Gilmore sees the win as more than just a talking point. “It’s recognition of what we’re trying to do culturally — for the town, for the whole region,” she said. “Every aspect of the restoration thought about meticulous attention to detail.” The Sherborne’s toilets are free to use, whether or not visitors are exploring the museum. Now in its 38th year, the Loo of the Year Awards celebrate outstanding public toilets across the UK and Ireland, judged on accessibility, cleanliness, design, and overall user experience. The overall winner, and recipient of the coveted Golden Loo Seat Trophy, was Cardiff’s St David’s Dewi Sant shopping centre. Still, for The Sherborne, the Quirky Award might be the most memorable prize of all — and just one more reason to visit.

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Volunteer Blood Biker Honoured Posthumously with Elizabeth Emblem for Ultimate Sacrifice

Russell Curwen, a volunteer blood biker who died while delivering emergency medical samples in 2018, has been posthumously awarded the Elizabeth Emblem — a national honour given to families of public servants who die in the line of duty. The emblem, named after the late Queen Elizabeth II and first introduced in 2024, was presented during a ceremony at Kendal Town Hall on Monday. It was handed to Russell’s father, Kenny Curwen, by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, Alexander Scott. “Russell has never left us,” his father said during the ceremony. “You just don’t imagine you’re going to be in this position. Russell was always there and when we lost him we thought we had lost him forever — but we haven’t.” Russell, who was 49 at the time of his death, volunteered with North West Blood Bikes, a charity that transports urgent medical items such as blood and pathology samples between hospitals and labs. He died on 5 May 2018 after his motorcycle collided with a car in Lancaster while responding to an emergency call. An inquest later found that he had gone through a red light using blue lights and sirens when the crash occurred. Coroner James Newman, who issued a prevention of future deaths report, stressed that the report was not a criticism. Instead, it called for clarity around the legal framework for emergency exemptions to road traffic laws when applied to blood bike charities and similar volunteer groups. Russell’s death sparked an outpouring of support from the motorcycling community. Before his funeral, nearly 500 riders took part in a procession through Kendal to honour his service. Westmorland and Furness Council described the Elizabeth Emblem as “a permanent national tribute to Russell’s selflessness and sacrifice, and a symbol of the profound gratitude owed to him for his service.” Lee Townsend, vice chairman of North West Blood Bikes, called Russell “a great guy” who gave his time to help others. This marks only the second time the Elizabeth Emblem has been awarded in Cumbria, underscoring the significance of Curwen’s dedication and the lasting impact of his volunteer work.

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‘Mamma Cath’ Retires After 62 Years of Nursing, Just Shy of Her 80th Birthday

At 79 years old, Cath Lyon has finally clocked off — more than six decades after she first joined the NHS. Known affectionately as “Mamma Cath” by colleagues at Hull Royal Infirmary, she started her career on August 1, 1962, when she was just 16. On Monday, she officially retired from her role as a staff nurse in the emergency department, ending an extraordinary 62-year run of service. “I have loved every minute of it,” Cath said. “Just being able to help patients when they need it, even if it’s something as simple as making them a drink or fetching them a blanket.” Cath’s career began as a white cadet, balancing nursing studies with administrative tasks in the X-ray and pharmacy departments. Her first job as a staff nurse was in neurosurgery — a time she remembers fondly, especially the luxury of having a night cook who would make staff “any food you wanted.” She later became a night sister, a role that no longer exists and has since been replaced by site matrons. But for the past 20 years, she was a fixture in the emergency department, a steady and familiar presence during some of the hospital’s busiest shifts. She’s seen the NHS change dramatically over the years. “Everything was pen and paper when I first started, there were no computers,” she said. “The hospitals are also much busier than they used to be.” Asked what it takes to be a good nurse, Cath was characteristically matter-of-fact: “A good pair of hands and a good brain.” Now a grandmother of four, she said she’s looking forward to spending more time with her family. Her colleagues say she’ll be deeply missed. “Cath is the kind of nurse who becomes the heartbeat of a place,” said Matron Emma Jones. “Her legacy is stitched into the walls of the emergency department. She kept us going through the hardest nights with perfectly timed midnight snacks, and she never allowed standards to slip.” Jones called her “caring, honest and endlessly devoted,” and praised her example of “compassion with backbone, humour with authority and love for patients and colleagues that never once clocked off.” “We will miss you, Mamma Cath,” she added.

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