Our oldest daughter Jennifer was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 2007 aged just 15. She fought her illness with great courage for three and a half years. During her first months of treatment she built a web site through which she told of her journey with cancer. In 9 months remission she managed to achieve credit passes in the  three Standard grade exams she was still able to complete. She was a bridesmaid at her cousin's wedding (the best day of her life), became a prefect at school, went to Disneyland Paris and Lapland and attended the Christmas ball at school. She lived life to the full, appreciating every moment. She was always thinking of  the other children who were ill and was starting to get involved in fund raising for the charities which had done so much for her. In January 2009 we were devastated when she relapsed. This time the treatment was really hard on her but she never complained. Despite being very tired most of the time she tried to continue with school work and achieved her Higher English. She opted for High Dose Chemo and had her stem cells harvested before the treatment and replaced afterwards. On the 11th of August , the day we were meant to leave hospital at the end of this treatment, we were given the news we dreaded, that the cancer was still there and they couldn't do any more. Jennifer took this prognosis calmly and continued as courageously as she had done before. We tried to remain positive hoping that a miracle would be round the corner. We packed as many special days in as we could when she was able, but I knew on my 50th birthday when she didn't feel well enough to attend an afternoon tea that we had been asked to, that time was getting short. Less than two weeks later, Jennifer’s health wasn’t improving and we were given the news we had all been dreading – It was time to get ready to say our goodbyes. We spent days by her bedside going over memories from our years together and she decided that she wanted to plan her own funeral so we began to discuss the arrangements for her funeral, the songs she would like and poem she wanted read, the church and where she wanted to be buried, and what she would wear, her favourite ball gown and a string of pearls her Great Granny had given to her as a baby. She did not want it to be a drab occasion and suggested people wear something pink. That would have been the theme for her 18 birthday party. She would have been 18 on 25 April. She died peacefully in her sleep in hospital on the evening of 6 March. The four of us were with her, holding her as she slipped away. She had managed to say her final goodbyes to us the previous day. We were so lucky that we had these precious moments, not everyone gets them. We all miss her so much.

 

Joanne and I have signed up for Race for Life in memory of Jennifer and in tribute to her courage and that of all the young people we met through her treatment, equally as brave. Too many  are with Jennifer watching over their families, but there are also many who have beaten cancer or leukemia, thanks to continually improving treatments, and it is wonderful to see them grow and be inspired by their achievements.

Here is a link to Jennifer's personal website about her story in which she made after beating Cancer first time round:

http://my-fight-with-the-big-c.piczo.com/?g=1

Cancer affects everyone – the young and old, the rich and poor, men, women and children – and represents a tremendous heartache on patients, families and societies. It is up to all of us to support the important research that can one day make a much sought-after cure a reality.

Joanne and I have participated in many charity events, including a 10,000ft Skydive which Joanne done in April 2013 in which she raised £5,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust. I do an annual Plant Sale outside our local supermarket in memory of Jennifer. As so many charities were part of Jennifer's journey with Cancer, we would like to continue taking part in events and raising as much money as possible and awareness in aim that someday, WE CAN BEAT CANCER!!