Betsy Thomas became a trustee of Cardiomyopathy UK in 2025, building on many years of dedicated volunteering with the charity. Her personal journey with cardiomyopathy – which took over a decade to be correctly diagnosed – has driven her passion to improve healthcare experiences for others affected by the condition.
Betsy has volunteered with Cardiomyopathy UK in a wide variety of roles, including as a Heart-to-Heart telephone support volunteer, Change Maker, Support Group Leader for Bristol and the surrounding area, and as a keynote speaker at the charity’s 2023 conference. She has also contributed to strategy workshops and research projects, helping to shape the organisation’s future direction.
Earlier in her career, Betsy worked in pharmaceutical and medical diagnostics sales with companies including Ciba Geigy and Boehringer Mannheim, where she focused on diabetes care, hospital training and strategic planning. She also has extensive experience building long-term relationships across primary and secondary care, training healthcare professionals, and supporting strategic development within the sector.
Alongside her professional and voluntary commitments, Betsy has also been a long-term volunteer at Bristol Zoo, where she spent 10 years presenting animal shows to the public.
As a trustee, Betsy brings a combination of professional healthcare knowledge, lived experience of cardiomyopathy, and deep commitment to the patient community. She is particularly passionate about addressing diagnostic delays, widening access to support, and ensuring that the patient voice is heard at every level of decision-making.