1 in 2 of us will get cancer. But it's something that you don't necessarily think about — not until it affects you. Cathy's mum, Marion, had been unwell for a while when she took a turn for the worse in 2011 and was rushed to hospital. Devastatingly, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer — and just four months later, she passed away.
It was absolutely devastating. Not only had I lost my mum, but my two sons had lost their grandma. She was a real character – full of life, generous and caring. It’s the little things that I miss most. She loved playing the piano, and she was always singing.
My dad, Brian, missed Mum terribly. But he’s always been an incredibly resilient man, and he was such a rock for us as we grappled with our grief. But then our lives were turned upside down once again.
Shortly after he lost his beloved wife – Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Months of grueling treatment followed and it was heartbreaking to see Dad go through it – though typically, he never complained.
Fortunately, Dad responded well to treatment and was given the all-clear. He’s still in remission today and we visit him every week. We feel so lucky to still have him with us.
Sadly, there was one more blow from cancer for our family to take. I started to get excruciating stomach pains. I was diagnosed with a kidney infection, but the pain didn’t stop. The doctors investigated further – and that’s when they found the tumour in my spleen.
Not long after I lost my mum, my boys faced the heartbreaking prospect of losing theirs. Will had just moved to Cambridge University to study English Literature, and Matthew was in his third year at London Southbank University.
It should have been an exciting, carefree time. But instead, they were faced with yet more stress, heartache and worry.
In four short years, we’d lost Mum, Dad had battled prostate cancer and I now faced stage 2 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It seemed so unfair. Hadn’t our family gone through enough?
Thankfully I too was fortunate, and I am now cancer-free. I’m so grateful that advances in cancer research meant that both Dad and I are still here. But I miss my mum every day. That's why I have chosen to leave a gift in my Will to Worldwide Cancer Research.
I’d always put off writing my Will – yet another piece of admin, I thought. But Worldwide Cancer Research offers a free Will service, and I was surprised by how easy the whole process was.
I feel hugely comforted that I’ve taken the first step towards finding the lifesaving cures of tomorrow, today. I hope that one day, nobody else will have to lose a loved one of their own to cancer. And I’d be so grateful if you too would consider leaving a gift in your Will to Worldwide Cancer Research.
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