Stephanie Thirkill
Stephanie Emily Thirkill's page
Fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support
Story
At 26 years old, I am shocked at the exposure I have had to cancer in the last year and have learnt that it comes in many different varying forms and does not discriminate on the basis of age.
In April 2011 at just 28 years old, my cousin Laura Loftus (Waddington), was diagnosed with advanced stages of cervical cancer.
She went on to battle this disease very bravely and admirably for the next four years and sadly, on July 17th 2015, aged just 32, lost her fight.
When somebody so close to you is diagnosed, you are quickly exposed to just how truly scary and upsetting cancer is both for the person battling it and you as a family member. This is where the Macmillan nurses come in.
When Laura's illness was first classed as terminal we were allocated a Macmillan nurse who came to see us and explain what help and care was available to us.
Kay,our Macmillan nurse was truly exceptional and a great support and comfort to us. Totally focused on Laura's own wants and needs, she was able to discuss options for Laura's palliative care with her, making sure Laura was as comfortable as possible, had the right medication and was where she wanted to be, physically and mentally, in the final days of her life.
For the family she supported us through this terrible time with information delivered in a clear but sympathetic way so we knew exactly what to expect and when.
And of course it doesn't stop there. Care for the bereaved is offered for as long as it's needed with counselling and alternative therapies to help families cope with the huge space left by the loss of someone who was loved in our case as much as Laura was.
We shall always be grateful for the love and care given by our Macmillan nurse and to all the other Macmillan nurses caring for families going through the same traumatic time in their lives. They do an incredible job and truly deserve our thanks and support which is why I am taking on the crazy challenge to run 26.2 miles in April 2016.
We hope we never need them again, but we are reassured knowing that if we do, they will be there for us.
Please support the Macmillan nurses as best you can and I hope my own small fundraising efforts help other people in the future.
Thanks in advance for everyone's kind donations and support - maybe I will see some of you at the finish line!?
Steph
X
http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/story/2014-06-29/fight-to-raise-finds-for-cancer-drug/
http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/update/2015-07-23/funeral-held-for-fundraising-cancer-patient/
In April 2011 at just 28 years old, my cousin Laura Loftus (Waddington), was diagnosed with advanced stages of cervical cancer.
She went on to battle this disease very bravely and admirably for the next four years and sadly, on July 17th 2015, aged just 32, lost her fight.
When somebody so close to you is diagnosed, you are quickly exposed to just how truly scary and upsetting cancer is both for the person battling it and you as a family member. This is where the Macmillan nurses come in.
When Laura's illness was first classed as terminal we were allocated a Macmillan nurse who came to see us and explain what help and care was available to us.
Kay,our Macmillan nurse was truly exceptional and a great support and comfort to us. Totally focused on Laura's own wants and needs, she was able to discuss options for Laura's palliative care with her, making sure Laura was as comfortable as possible, had the right medication and was where she wanted to be, physically and mentally, in the final days of her life.
For the family she supported us through this terrible time with information delivered in a clear but sympathetic way so we knew exactly what to expect and when.
And of course it doesn't stop there. Care for the bereaved is offered for as long as it's needed with counselling and alternative therapies to help families cope with the huge space left by the loss of someone who was loved in our case as much as Laura was.
We shall always be grateful for the love and care given by our Macmillan nurse and to all the other Macmillan nurses caring for families going through the same traumatic time in their lives. They do an incredible job and truly deserve our thanks and support which is why I am taking on the crazy challenge to run 26.2 miles in April 2016.
We hope we never need them again, but we are reassured knowing that if we do, they will be there for us.
Please support the Macmillan nurses as best you can and I hope my own small fundraising efforts help other people in the future.
Thanks in advance for everyone's kind donations and support - maybe I will see some of you at the finish line!?
Steph
X
http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/story/2014-06-29/fight-to-raise-finds-for-cancer-drug/
http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/update/2015-07-23/funeral-held-for-fundraising-cancer-patient/