Mount Spark Lecture Celebrates Dr Audrey Evans – With an Esteemed Panel of Speakers
As part of York International Women’s Week 2026, The Mount hosted an event dedicated to one of its greatest alumna – Dr Audrey Evans ‘The Mother of Neuroblastoma.’
Audrey Evans was a revolutionary doctor; she transformed paediatric oncology and co-founded the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RHMC) for children with cancer and their families.
On Friday 6 March, three amazing women spoke at our event on what would have been Dr Audrey’s 101st birthday. Julia Fisher Farbman, Hollywood producer, writer and director, and a close friend of Audrey’s, spoke about her award-winning film Audrey’s Children, starring Natalie Dormer. Due to being pregnant, Julia could not fly over in person, but her pre-recorded fascinating and personal account of Audrey’s story – and her schooldays at The Mount – was truly engaging.
Julia also answered questions from Mount pupils, drawing on her success and experience to give advice: “If you find yourself in a position where someone trusts you with their legacy, give it your all and let your moral compass guide you.” She also emphasised the importance of resilience: “Do no equate your sense of self to what other people think of you.”
Julia also shared lovely stories of how Dr Audrey remembered her schooldays at The Mount with fondness, which gave her the confidence to often be ‘the only woman in the room’ in her early medical career.
Our second speaker was Laura Burke, a representative from Ronald McDonald House Charities (RHMC). She talked of Audrey’s positive impact on the families of sick children, sharing with the audience Audrey’s core belief – ‘a sick child means a sick family.’ Laura’s talk was both fascinating and moving, her passion for the charity’s work evident.
Laura talked about how early in her career Audrey’s focus was simply to survive in an industry dominated by men: “But she did more than survive, she innovated, she led and she changed the world.”
The final speaker of the night was Dr Ganeshi Wimalasingham, Consultant Medical Oncologist at University College, London, and Mount alumna. As someone who has taken similar path to Dr Audrey, Ganeshi credited Dr Evans as an inspiration. During the evening, Ganeshi talked in depth about Oncology. She shared uplifting stories of survival, only possible due to advancements driven by Dr Audrey and continuing today under Dr Ganeshi’s expertise.
She concluded her lecture by talking optimistically about the future of Oncology: “Oncology is an incredible field that blends science with patient-facing care; research is so important and each generation needs pioneers, like Dr Evans, to continue to improve the lives of patients and families.”
The evening was an informative and emotional journey; a wonderful and fitting way to celebrate York International Women’s Week with amazing women being the change they wish to see which directly aligns with The Mount’s own values and Quaker ethos.
Our Head, Anna Wilby, said: “In York International Women’s Week, we’re incredibly proud of the work our old scholar Dr Audrey Evans did, and it’s so lovely to see how many lives she’s touched and improved. Thank you to our speakers; it is fantastic to have you here, as female role models for our all-girls’ senior school. It’s wonderful to hear how you are achieving in your sectors, and to benefit from your wisdom and expertise, both for our school community and the wider York community, all gathered here tonight.”
To watch the trailer for the film, Audrey’s Children, please click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5RAw-YUWn8
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