Jemma’s Special Day story

Jemma had just recovered from major surgery when she was shocked to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Willow arranged for Jemma and her family to take a Special Day at Center Parcs, where having fun and staying a beautiful, natural location contributed to a positive, uplifting and stress-free experience.

Our Special Day was truly a ray of sunshine. It was the best holiday we have had as a family and one that we will never forget.

Jemma

I am married with two young daughters. I was still recovering from a major operation to remove a tumour when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a huge shock to us all and my focus at the time was getting through the treatment while trying to maintain some normality for the children. Now that I am out the other side, I am trying to take as many positives as I can from the experience. It has really put things into perspective and has opened my eyes to the importance of self care.

It was a very difficult year for us. I applied for my Willow Special Day as I was starting radiotherapy, and the knowledge that it was just around the corner kept me going through all of the exhaustion and the emotional struggles I faced. It gave us something positive to hold onto, some time together as a family and a chance to relax and forget about the difficult times.

When the day actually arrived, it was better than we even imagined it could be. My husband is currently working away from home so having us all together made the trip extra special. We had an amazing time at Center Parcs – the setting is truly stunning and the range of activities on offer was astounding.

We packed so much fun into our long weekend, including pony riding, rollerskating, climbing, splashing about in the fantastic subtropical swimming area, pottery painting, a boat ride on the lake, making sandcastles on the beach, zooming around on our bikes (the girls loved daddy pulling them in their trailer), feeding the woodland creatures that stopped by our patio each morning and eating lots of delicious food. We had such a happy few days filled with smiles and laughter.

It was the best holiday we have had as a family and one that we will never forget. We all loved every minute of it, especially the girls, who are still talking about it on a daily basis and asking to go back.  Our Special Day was truly a ray of sunshine in what has been a pretty dark time for us and we are so grateful for the experience.

Suzanne’s Special Day story

Suzanne is 36 and lives with her husband and two young children in Merseyside. She’s currently receiving palliative chemotherapy after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. Willow arranged for Suzanne and her family to spend a Special Day at Center Parcs. She tells us what it meant to her.

We have banked so many happy memories and were able to appreciate the normality of just spending time together having fun.

Suzanne

My life before diagnosis was completely normal. We are a family of four. Will is seven and Thea is five. Before my diagnosis Thea had just started school and we had just had a wonderful family holiday in France. I was working part time and was thinking about what I might do with my extra time then kaboom, cancer diagnosis.

Our world suddenly became very small and quiet. It was surreal. Having a Special Day to look forward to and to enjoy was a priceless gift. A cancer diagnosis means that suddenly life becomes unbelievably sad, and sadness is exhausting. This gave us a chance to be normal and to have fun.

We had such fun in Center Parcs, the kids were absolutely beside themselves. It was wonderful to have some normal family time in amongst the madness of what our life has become.

We have banked so many happy memories and were able to appreciate the normality of just spending time together having fun.

Jason’s Special Day story

In 2017 Willow delivered its 14,000 Special Day, one of those was for Jason.  Here his partner Leigh-anne shares their story.

Before Jason was diagnosed we were a normal, busy and carefree family. We have three children and we never took life too seriously. In October 2016 Jason was rushed to hospital with pains in his back – we never thought that our lives could be turned upside down so quickly. Jason was diagnosed with kidney cancer two weeks after being admitted to hospital.

Emotions were high, panic had started to set in and the reality of how serious this could be spread fear through us all.  Once we met with the consultant and Macmillan nurse things started to move quickly.  It was decided that the best course of action, due to the size of the tumour, was to remove Jason’s entire kidney.  The first date that was offered to us for the operation was Christmas Eve, we decided to postpone this so we could enjoy Christmas as a ‘normal’ family.

Jason’s operation went ahead on 28th December, it went well and he was up on his feet within hours of the long operation.  Jason returned home on New Years Day and we started 2017 cancer free.  The road to recovery was difficult, at times it was stressful and emotional, but with the love and support from everyone around us Jason has come out the other side and we were all by his side.

Our Macmillan nurse suggested we apply for a Special Day. At this time emotions were very raw but it gave us the distraction that we needed, something to think about other than the diagnosis.  We chose to go to Center Parcs where we would be able have some quality family time together as well as celebrating Jason’s birthday. We had a new focus and finally had something to look forward to. When Jason felt low or struggled with his aches and pains the thought of our impending trip away really lifted his spirits. 

We have been reminded that there are extremely kind and generous people in the world who allow families like ours the chance to have an experience that they will never forget. Time away to escape the darkness that a serious illness can bring.

Leigh-anne

Our time at Center Parcs allowed us some down time, a chance to stop rushing around and take time to relax with the children. We were able to shower Jason with love and affection and show him how proud we were of him. Thanks to Willow we have priceless happy memories that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. We have been reminded that there are extremely kind and generous people in the world who allow families, like ours, the chance to have an experience that they will never forget, time away to escape the darkness that a serious illness can bring.

Thankfully Jason has returned to work full time and his is in good health with a positive outlook on life. I will be eternally grateful to Willow for everything that they have done for us and that is why I intend to give back in return for their kindness. I have challenged myself to complete a half marathon as well as the Willow 10k in 2017 and 2018 at Hatfield House.

Speaking about his Special Day Jason says…

Thinking back to early February when I first spoke to Willow I learnt what they would be able to offer us as a family. I was still recovering at the time so having something to focus on and look forward to was a light at the end of a tunnel for me. The chance to have my family share this with me after supporting me through the last six months was amazing; after all they were the ones that had been on the journey with me. My Special Day to Center Parcs was exactly that ‘Special to us!

Catherine’s Special Day story

After a tough year of battling with her cancer, all Catherine wanted was some time with her family and Willow were able to do this by arranging a short break to Thorpe Forest.

We’re a family with two small children and my husband and I both work. Due to my cancer treatments, family time and enjoyment with my kids had been lost and this encouraged my decision to reduce my working hours permanently. But we still needed to get out of London, to be away from work, household chores and to be able to have fun together as a family.

Sitting in the hot tub gazing at the trees with a glass of wine after a brilliant long run in the woods was truly magical

Catherine

Knowing we were going on a Forest Holiday break was very important to me, particularly as my husband has been working very long hours and I knew we would have four days with no Wi-Fi.

Having my Special Day was incredibly relaxing and wonderful as we were able to have some proper family time after a gruelling year.

We have made some incredible memories.

Martin’s Special Day story

Being dad again. Martin explains the impact of his Special Day.

Five years ago I was working as an electrician and doing sports commentary on local radio at the weekends. We had no children, enjoyed regular holidays and were pretty carefree. Life was ‘normal’.

One day at work I was filling in a form when I had trouble writing. A couple of weeks later I got cramp in my hands while I was eating dinner. At first he thought I had a trapped nerve but even after a barrage of tests came back negative I knew something was wrong. Eventually I was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

The specialist told me I’d be paralysed within two years. It was a massive blow. I can only describe it as like being on an aeroplane that you know is going to crash. Once the news had sunk in I put all my energy into finding out what medical help there was available. I tried various alternative therapies and felt that being positive about the future was the only way forward.

It was the most magical holiday that we have ever had and has made it possible for Martin to be the dad he has always wanted to be…Words just aren’t enough to tell you how much this holiday meant to us and what it did for us as a family.

Gillian, Martin’s wife

I go to a hospice two days a week and it was there I was told about Willow. When we looked at the types of Special Days other people had had we immediately chose a short break. A holiday would mean so much more to us than just a few days away and we knew we would enjoy looking forward to this one like we used to before my diagnosis.

We couldn’t wait to spend some quality time together. In the weeks leading up to Special Day the trip we planned the activities we’d do while we were away. And on the darker days, it was a real boost to look forward to the date in the diary.

Our three year old son, Jack, was especially excited to go on his first ever family break. Willow sent us to a holiday park in Whinfell Forest. It was great not to have too far to travel and when we got there everything was absolutely perfect.

Because of the setting, I could do so much that I couldn’t do at home. With no cars around, I took Jack out to play on my own and being on one level in the chalet meant I could watch him enjoy bath time and even read his bedtime story.

My parents also came to visit us for the day which enabled me to go swimming with Jack – another rare treat. Our time away has brought Jack and I closer together, giving us the chance to do so much together and a taste of some independence for me. The whole family loved every minute of it.