Sim’s Story

Simran, a daughter, granddaughter,  sister, niece, fiancée and friend. 

Where it all started…

At the age of 13 when other children were enjoying their early teenage years, Sim received news that was going to change her life forever. She went for a dental procedure and it became clear that Sim’s blood was not clotting after dental extractions. There seemed to be an underlying reason as to why and Sim was rushed to A&E - this moment would be the start of her journey, the moment which would make Sim grow beyond her years. 

Sim was diagnosed with auto-immune hepatitis. Auto-immune hepatitis is a disease where the immune system begins to attack liver cells. This causes liver inflammation and prevents the liver from functioning properly. Sim battled through countless hospital appointments, blood tests and steroid treatments. Sim went through a difficult experience with school as her steroid treatments led to swelling and as a result knocked her confidence and ultimately led to bullying from other students. Despite the circumstances, Sim excelled in her studies and completed her GCSEs, A Levels and received a degree in Law.  Even with all the medication and treatments, Sim’s health suffered and she spent weeks at a time in hospital from the ages of 13 to 22.  

Sim is a fighter, Sim is always positive. Her smile lights up any room. Everyone and anyone is attracted to her energy. 

Sim’s life changing transplant

Whilst the doctors did everything they could to help slow the impact on Sim’s liver, her liver deteriorated by the time she was 22 and she was put onto the transplant list in October 2017. With luck, Sim was called on 16 March 2018 with news that there was a liver that matched her. Sim had mixed feelings. She was happy to have a second chance, but she felt sad that it was due to the passing of another. Her heart went out to the family and she was forever grateful. Sim wrote to the family but never felt that the words she wrote conveyed the gratitude she felt. To honour the beautiful soul that helped to save her life and the wonderful Dr Thamara Perera and his medical team who performed Sim’s life-changing surgery,  Sim worked hard to raise awareness of Auto-immune hepatitis and organ donation. Sim attended various support groups and supported others in similar situations as her.  

Sim is everyone’s support system, she sees the best in everyone and everything. 

The happy chapter

The transplant was a success and Sim’s body accepted the new liver. This is when Sim felt her best, she had a new outlook on life. Sim’s life changed for the better.  On 30 November 2017, Sim met her Fiancé (Arun). Arun and Sim are a perfect match. Sim started to live and experience life. Sim was healthy and happy from November 2017 onwards until her cancer diagnosis. This stage was the happy chapter in Sim’s life. Arun proposed to Sim on 8 February 2020, the proposal was magical and the wedding was booked for 31 July 2021. Like every girl dreams, Sim planned her wedding to perfection - she was so excited. Sim was excited to start the next stage in her life - Sim was looking forward to having her dream wedding and her dream honeymoon (Bora Bora was on her list!). Sim and Arun had plans - from their wedding to children, every detail was perfectly planned out in true Sim style.  

Sim is a dreamer, Sim believes in true love. 

Sim’s battle with Cancer

In February 2021 (whilst planning her wedding and buying her dream wedding outfits) Sim started to experience excruciating back pain and significant weight loss. Sim was back in the hospital by April 2021 and was diagnosed with stage 4 post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (“PTLD”) (a type of cancer).  Sim’s plans came crashing down, she was forced to postpone her wedding to 2022. During May 2021 (Sim’s 26th birthday month) Sim underwent immunotherapy. The doctors hoped this would aid Sim and this treatment was all that she needed.  Unfortunately, the treatment did not cure the cancer and as a result Sim had to start chemotherapy. In June 2021, Sim had her first Chemotherapy appointment and  made it through all six treatments. Despite the tiredness, sickness and hair loss, Sim remained positive and never gave up on her fight. Fighting for herself, fighting for her family, fighting for her friends, fighting for her fiancé, their wedding and her happily ever after, Simran fought so hard from May to October 2021. Having completed her chemo treatment, Sim was ready to start her recovery and put the trauma behind her. Unfortunately,  shortly after her last chemo treatment, Simran caught various infections and was back in hospital in September 2021.  As Sim’s body never had the chance to heal from the chemo treatment, the infections took their toll on Sim but Sim continued to fight. Sim was told about a potential treatment called T-cell therapy. However, this required various approvals and funding - also most importantly Sim needed a donor match. Funding was approved, there was a light at the end of the tunnel and Sim received that ray of hope when a successful donor match had been found. It seemed like everything was coming together and Sim would finally have her happily ever after. Unfortunately, the cancer was aggressive and after battling cancer for over 7 months, on 28th October 2021, Simran lost her battle and peacefully left us to a better place with no more pain and suffering. 

Sim continued to fight until her last breath - she is a true fighter. The bravest girl - the bravest thing Sim did was fight to stay alive each day.  

We promise you Sim…

That the whole world will know who you are and how strong our Simran Gill is. For as long as we live, for as long as we breathe, with every beat of our heart you will never be forgotten, and we promise you that. This is not the end, this is just the beginning… We love you.