Mary Burton (1959-2014, aged 55)

As well as devoted wife and mother Mary also loved exercise and lived a healthy life. In October 2010 while on holiday in North America Mary experienced the first symptoms of her condition. On her return blood tests revealed that her kidneys were only working at 20 % and shortly afterwards she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma – unusual for a young fit woman.

Mary began 6 months of treatment involving steroids, chemo tablets and radiated blood transfusions which was followed by the good news that blood levels and kidney function were back to optimum. However after a year in the clear the Myeloma had returned and treatment began again this time using previously harvested stem cells. Mary and husband Steve enjoyed another Christmas together with things looking positive, but by February 2014 devastating news.

An experimental drugs trial was a possible option and after informed discussions Mary unselfishly said “if it helps research and helps others in the future I am going for it!”

Mary got to see her oldest son Philip marry – which she did in style!

As the year wore on Mary’s conditioned worsened but despite this she was determined to continue her mother’s 34 years of Poppy coordination in Woodchurch Village. Soon after the hospice nurse thought Mary only had a few days left. Mary fell asleep for the last time in the loving arms of her husband Steve after losing her battle with cancer at 12 noon, 28th October 2014, surrounded by her family and friends.

Mary said “do what you want to do when you want to do it as life is too short!”

This is the reason for me to support Cancer Research. I hope the findings from the trials will help others in a conclusion to this terrible cancer and make it a thing of the past! – Steve Burton

You can read more about Mary Burton’s life and battle in her husband Steve’s unabridged story.

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