Noreen’s Special Day story

Being diagnosed with a serious illness it doesn’t just affect the young adult, but their loved ones too.  Here Noreen and Imran share their experience of a serious illness.

My husband and I both worked and our whole focus was on our two young girls, aged three and five. We were a close knit family, visiting our extended family whenever we had the time. When I was diagnosed with uterine cancer I could not believe that it was happening to me. I had always been a healthy young lady who was full of life. But cancer turned our lives upside down.

The greatest support throughout my journey has been my husband, Imran. He has been with me every step of the way. When I received my diagnosis life stopped for both of us. I knew my Special Day would be as much for him as it was for me, a chance for us to be able to spend some quality time together, as husband and wife. Going to Bath for my Special Day was simply perfect, a dream come true. We saw so much and created life long memories.

I wanted to give Imran the opportunity to talk about what we had gone through before we put everything behind us and started to look towards the future. I brought a letter with me that I had written to Imran to explain how I was feeling about everything, to help him to understand and most importantly thank him for everything that he has done for me.

Since my treatment we have both been able to return to work part-time and although we will not be able to fulfil our dream of growing our family we are lucky and I am happy for everything that we have. While I was ill I could not stop thinking that I had so much, yet I did not appreciate it. My illness has changed all of that and I now fully appreciate everything and everyone. I enjoy every day and spend as much time with Imran and my girls as possible.

Going to Bath for my Special Day
was simply perfect, a dream come true.

Noreen

For Imran, Noreen’s Special Day to Bath was a chance for them to re-connect:

Noreen’s diagnosis came as a complete shock. Life changed for both of us and became quite restrictive, we couldn’t go out as much anymore. Noreen was not able to do as much around the home so I took over that responsibility and the constant hospital appointments also took their toll. The hardest thing was not being able to spend as much quality time together with our young children.

I had hoped that Noreen’s Special Day would give us both the chance to re charge and focus on us again. We had always talked about visiting Bath, but had never got around to going.

Our time in Bath gave us both a sliver lining in what was otherwise a very cloudy time in our lives. It made us smile again and for a few days forget about our troubles.

Lucia’s Fundraising Story

”It not only felt like a big achievement as I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, but I raised enough money to be able to give someone a Special Day that they deserve. That was the most important thing to me.”.

– Lucia

Lucia had a Special Day in 2022 where we arranged a day in London and tickets to see her favourite West End musical, The Lion King. ‘Having a Special Day gave me an opportunity to spend a day with my loved ones, creating a new happy memory, something which hasn’t happened much during my treatment.’
Lucia’s experience with Willow moved her to fundraise for us and take part in our 2023 trek in Transylvania. As part of her fundraising, she hosted a bake sale at work where she raised an amazing £300! She braved the trek last October and shares the impact the experience left her with:

“I hadn’t done such an intense challenge since before treatment and it felt daunting knowing no one and doing this in a foreign country. But I have made some amazing friends and the views were breathtaking. It not only felt like a big achievement as I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, but I raised enough money to be able to give someone a Special Day that they deserve. That was the most important thing to me.”

Lucia’s endeavors will help us to provide more special days and give others a chance to create unforgettable memories. Thank you, Lucia!

Alison’s Special Day story

Meet Alison, 34, from Wigan, who has completed treatment for breast cancer. Her and the family enjoyed a Special Day at the magical Harry Potter Studios!  Juggling between being a mum and experiencing health anxiety post-treatment, her story is about resilience, strength, and honesty…

We all had a truly magical time and made memories and photos to treasure forever.

– Alison

I’m a mother of two, and my children were just four and two when I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. Luckily, as they were so young, they accepted that I was poorly and needed to go to the hospital, and I needed medicine that made my hair fall out. Having young children meant that life continued pretty much as normal between chemo sessions and scans and other hospital appointments. I still made tea, put a wash on, brushed teeth, did the school run, practised spelling, went to swimming lessons, did the food shop, played with Barbie’s, and all the millions of other things that we parents do! It kept me busy and focused and showed us that there was still life outside of my diagnosis. I didn’t worry or fear what might happen as I knew I was going to be ok.

Most people struggle with the initial cancer diagnosis. I didn’t really and found it easier being pragmatic and practical. I rarely cried or thought ‘why me?’ – I just wanted to start treatment straight away so I could get better sooner. After my treatment was finished, it should have been time to celebrate, and outwardly I was. Family and friends were thrilled that I was ‘better’ and the bad experience was now over and could be pushed out of my mind. I then returned to work, and things were like I had never been away. I’m young and fit, and most people forget I was ever ill. However, since then I have struggled with health anxiety. As our children are getting older, they are now asking more questions. We have been honest about everything that was happening from the start in an age-appropriate way but still, it’s hard finding the right answer when they ask if cancer will come back or if I will die.

Whilst having treatment for primary breast cancer, you are completely focused on ‘beating it’ – because the vast majority will, for a short while at least. It’s only after treatment ends that your attention turns to secondary breast cancer. It’s a lot harder to have the same level of pragmatism and ‘it’s happened, get on with it’ style thinking, when no matter what you do, it will always be the same tragic ending. My primary diagnosis didn’t change me, but my fear of secondary breast cancer is with me every single day. I want to make as many happy memories as I can for my family. My biggest fear is my cancer recurring as secondary breast cancer, and although if that happens, I will still hopefully be able to make memories, I worry that they will be harder to enjoy. Right now we are making memories for us as a family to remember as the kids grow up. 

Going to the Harry Potter studios for my Special Day was a once in a lifetime experience due to the distance and cost. The gift of tickets to the studios and accommodation to stay nearby was beyond anything we could have imagined. We all had a truly magical time and made memories and photos to treasure forever. The children have talked about it constantly since, and can’t wait to go back to school to tell their classmates.

Raminta’s Special Day Story

Raminta is 37 and lives in East Sussex. She applied for a Special Day in 2020 after treatment for breast cancer, but sadly lockdown meant her day had to be postponed. Thanks to Willow’s loyal supporters we’re delighted that we were able to rearrange her trip to Port Lympne Nature Reserve to spend precious time with her family.

My Special Day was all about building our little family as a union. We made happy lifetime memories.

Raminta

Our life turned up upside down when I was diagnosed. I was poorly going through the chemotherapy and operations and I was unable to work. I’ve not just struggled mentally but my looks changed too. I gained lots of weight and lost my long hair, lashes and brows which destroyed me and took my confidence away.

I was unable to work due to the high risk of infection and risk of catching Covid. We had to stay apart from my husband due to the high risk of transmission as my husband had to go to work.

I had to go on my own to chemotherapy, to go on my own to hospital for operations and scans – all the times when you are most vulnerable. Due to restrictions we were unable to have help with childcare and it was a very hard time.

I believe my family lost lots of precious time due to my illness and have also been affected not just emotionally, mentally but financially too. My Special Day was all about building our little family as a union and spending our precious time together, to be happy and make amazing unforgettable memories.

We made happy lifetime memories and this is most important for me. I have lots of healing still to do but the future does look bright.

Spod’s Special Day story

Spod was just 20 when she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. In January 2020 Willow arranged for her to spend a Special Day at a studio to record two of her songs.

I was so excited and it allowed me to just forget everything for a bit and focus on what I love the most: music!

When I was 20, I found a lump in my neck while studying at university which was subsequently diagnosed as thyroid cancer. I endured three operations and radiation treatment, but unfortunately relapsed and had to receive prolonged treatment over about three years. Now, I am pleased to say my recent scans have been clear and I graduated university in 2018.

Becoming a songwriter

Music has been a constant source of comfort and inspiration throughout my life. I began teaching myself ukulele and guitar during uni and have always enjoyed singing, but never really tried my hand at song-writing until my diagnosis. During my treatment, I decided to write a song about what I was going through. It really helped me process everything and express what I was feeling during such a dark time. I was on the cusp of the rest of my life with so many possibilities ahead of me, and yet because of cancer I had to put things on hold and live under the fear of everything I hoped to achieve being ripped away. It was an incredibly lonely time as I watched my friends do the things I couldn’t – move out, get jobs, start their adult lives. Through it all though, I gained new appreciation for life, and learned to treasure the little things even more.

My Special Day

I heard about Willow while I was in hospital and was put in touch with them. My Willow Day Maker was so accommodating and made sure that I was going to have an experience I’d really enjoy. She arranged for me to spend a day at a studio to professionally record two songs I’d written. I was so excited and it allowed me to just forget everything for a bit and focus on what I love the most: music! The day was so much fun and reaffirmed my passion for songwriting. Getting good feedback on the finished songs has been so lovely and humbling and I am grateful to everyone involved in making my Special Day. I will always remember it with a smile!

The difference my Special Day made

My Special Day made such a positive difference as it gave me something to look forward to in amongst all the unpleasant hospital-related things. I think it’s so important for people who are going through such a scary, isolating time to have something positive to focus on, because it really does provide a light in the darkness and shows there are people there to support you through it all.

Folk by the Oak

In July 2020, Willow invited me to take part in the Folk by the Oak Festival. I was honoured to perform virtually alongside some of my favourite folk artists and legends such as Richard Thompson, Seth Lakeman and Mary Chapin Carpenter while supporting Willow. Folk by the Oak takes place in the grounds of Hatfield House every year, and over the last 12 years has raised over £90,000 to support Willow Special Days. This year, the festival took place online but still raised over £10,000 for Willow.

Supporting Willow is incredibly important to me, since it focusses on helping people in their darkest moments. I’ve experienced first-hand how hard it is to live with a serious illness and how much it affects your physical and mental wellbeing. I think the work that Willow does to help alleviate some of that stress and pain is invaluable and sends the message that no matter how lonely you feel, you don’t have to go through it alone.

Bradley’s Special Day story

Bradley is 37 and lives with Huntington Disease, an incurable neurological condition. Willow supporters made it possible for Bradley complete a Tandem Skydive at Sibson Airfield in Peterborough.

It gave me huge motivation which I had previously lost…

Bradley

I have not seen Brad so very happy in many many years.

Bradley’s mum Barbara

Bradley told us:

For my Special Day I hoped to do something wonderful in life that I actually would not have done had I not been diagnosed. To feel such a thrill and joy and for Mum and Dad to see such happiness in me was amazing. The video and pictures were great to show to family and friends. It gave me huge motivation which previously I had lost quite often.

My Skydive was fantastic, the best thing I have ever done, totally brilliant. I was at 14,000 feet and it was so cold up that high with sleet and snow that my goggles froze up.

All the people at Willow were wonderful, professional, sympathetic, understanding and prompt. It is lovely to feel their joy when you tell them what a wonderful Special Day has been had.

Bradley’s mum and dad added:

We do not know how to thank Willow and their supporters enough for the experience Brad had skydiving. He absolutely loved it.

It was quite emotional for me. The picture of Bradley sat on the ground still with the chute on is was taken by his dad. The picture brings tears to my eyes every time I look at it. The overwhelming joy he was feeling was incredible.  He still talks about it every day and keeps saying “yes then” (that’s his favourite saying when he is really happy with something). I have not seen Brad so very happy in many many years.

Thank you does not feel enough. It has been amazing what you have made happen.

Sebastian’s Special Day story

In 2016 Willow supported 1,279 seriously ill young adults through our Special Days; Sebastian’s was one of them. Happily married and with young children, no one in Sebastian, or his wife Laura’s, immediate family had ever been affected by a serious illness until August 2015 when Sebastian received the devastating news that he had a brain tumor.

With a loving family around him for support, he was determined to make some life-long memories for his family’s future. Here is Sebastian’s story.

Before my diagnosis my family and I were pretty care free, we did what we wanted, enjoyed a comfortable life and we probably took a lot for granted. When the hospital found the tumor in my brain it knocked us for six completely. I underwent surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible and to my relief, was told that all of it had been removed.

We carried on with our life only to be told that my tumor was the highest grade for this kind of cancer and it would inevitably return. We were told we had years but after only 12 months it came back, this time with a much shorter prognosis. I had months to live.

After finding out that it had returned, we came to terms with the diagnosis a lot quicker. We started looking at the realities of life with me not being around for too much longer. Since that point of recurrence we’ve savored every minute we can.

We have been on meaningful trips, seen extended family as much as possible and spent precious time together as a family. My wife has started taking photos of everything we do with the hash tag of #MakingMemories – I don’t want my children to forget who I am when I’m gone.

My Special Day made such a difference to my day-to-day life. It gave my family something positive to look forward to in the darkest of times.

Sebastian

In early 2016 we went to Florida and visited Harry Potter World at Universal Studios just after my radiotherapy had finished. However, once I started chemotherapy going abroad was not really an option anymore. Doing something as a family was important to me, as it would be something we would all remember and ensure we had plenty of memories, especially when I become too ill to enjoy these types of activities.

When I found out about Willow I decided the perfect way to spend my Special Day was with my wife and children as they had all been brilliant throughout my treatment. We decided to go to the Harry Potter Studios in Hertfordshire and had an amazing day. Looking back it wasn’t just the actual trip that pulled us closer together, it was all the planning for it as well.

We haven’t stopped talking about our day since then. We took lots of photos, many of which are now framed on various walls around our house reminding us of how special our day was. We will always be grateful to Willow for giving us memories that will never be forgotten.

Warrick’s Special Day

Warrick was diagnosed with a rare, incurable cancer at just 25 years old. After months of gruelling treatment, all he wanted was to spend quality time with his family, without the burden of his illness, and to simply feel normal again. Willow arranged for him, wife Lisa and their four-year-old son Kyan to spend a day together at Legoland. It was their last chance to create happy memories together.

One year on, his wife Lisa explains how having this Special Day has left a lasting impact on her and Kyan.

Warrick’s Special Day was our last chance
to create happy memories together.

Before Warrick was diagnosed we were just a ‘normal’ family, we got married the previous year and had a two-year-old son. We were making plans for the future: to move house and have another baby. Warrick had recently started a new job which we hoped would be a great step in his career. Looking back now, our lives were perfect.

Then, in October 2014, Warrick was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of soft tissue cancer. After numerous scans and tests we were given the devastating news that it had already spread to his lungs and told it was incurable. Our whole lives were turned upside down but Warrick was so positive. He said he just wanted to make as many memories with us as possible. He started treatment straight away and went through 11 cycles of chemotherapy and then 25 fractions of radiotherapy to help prolong his life. The treatment was really tough on him and his body but he never once complained and always kept a smile on his face. He was a true inspiration throughout his battle; he was selfless, brave and the best husband and daddy we could have asked for. Even through all the pain he still put Kyan and me first.

We first heard about Willow through our support nurse. She knew that making memories was important to us so she filled in the paperwork and told us to wait to hear back… When we got the phone call from Willow to say we were able to have our Special Day we were so excited, especially as we just had received the news that Warrick’s cancer was becoming more aggressive. It felt really good to have a phone call with some positive news for a change. We were all so grateful to have the opportunity to go on a Special Day. Making memories was the most important thing to do once we’d been told Warrick’s cancer was terminal and the chemotherapy was no longer having an effect.

We hoped the trip would give us a chance to feel like a family again, to spend some quality time together away from hospital. Once we had made the decision to go to Legoland we told Kyan, who was then three years old. He was extremely excited as he was Lego mad. Warrick and Kyan would spend hours together building different Lego structures so it felt the right place to choose.

Our Special Day was simply amazing. Warrick had been feeling quite poorly in the days leading up to the trip but once the day arrived he picked up and was full of energy. We had a great time together, Warrick was able to take Kyan on all of the rides and we took lots of photographs. It felt like we smiled from the second we arrived and for the first time, in a long time, life felt ‘normal’.

The trip has given Kyan and me memories to cherish for a lifetime. We made a video of all the photographs that we took and we enjoy snuggling on the sofa and watching it together. It is extremely tough on us trying to adapt to our lives without Warrick, but having special memories like the ones we made at Legoland help us through.

I feel so grateful to Willow for giving us that opportunity, the charity is very special to me and it was to Warrick as well. I aim to support Willow by raising money to help other families be able to enjoy Special Days together. I recently ran a 10k in Warrick’s memory, raising £200 for Willow and I am already planning other events to help support Willow to provide more Special Days like ours.

Warrick’s story features in our BBC Radio 4 Appeal, aired on Sunday 19 February. Listen again or donate now to help make more days like Warrick’s a reality. Thank you.

Stuart’s Special Day story

Stuart was diagnosed with testicular cancer when he was 25. On further examination they found that there was cancer in both lungs, one fully, the other half. Stuart was told he had stage 4 cancer; the most aggressive form which spread from the lymph glands in his stomach into his brain and bones. Stuart’s Special Day was a unique opportunity to spend a day with the Red Arrows – his mum, Joyce exaplains what the Special Day meant to them as a family.

Prior to this, Stuart was a fit, healthy, caring young man who loved cycling, walking and who had a passion for classic cars. He was an active member of St John Ambulance and, as a teenager, he belonged to the ATC Air Cadets, where he fuelled his passion for aircraft.

Stuart remained in control of the situation, not once allowing it to get the better of him. It was as if he was telling it: ‘Okay you are here in me, you have control of my body but you are not going to have control of me.’ And he did, throughout his illness: he kept in control until he could control it no more. He never once changed from the person he had always been.

He still put others first. He thought the nurses’ time was wasted on him and that their attention was needed for patients more deserving them himself. It was during a course of chemotherapy treatment at the Royal Marsden that the nurse spoke to Stuart about Willow. She thought it would be great for him to have a Special Day.

Stuart thought long and hard about this and he decided that a day with the Red Arrows would be what he would like most. Both his dad and I thought this was the most wonderful idea and just perfect for Stuart with his love for planes. We filled out the application form and the nurse sent it off for us. Willow called to say the Red Arrows were having a training day in September and asked if we could make this day? Well nothing was going to stop us. We were so excited and Stuart was like the cat that got the cream. He continued with his treatment, keeping focused on the date.

The day from beginning to end was … well, just simply amazing. We met the whole of the team: the pilots, engineers, ground crew, office staff … everyone. We were there for their pre and post flight briefings. We had a tour of the grounds, looked over the aircraft. They treated us like royalty and Stuart as a young man, not a patient. Nothing was too much trouble. Stuart by now was in a wheelchair but they didn’t see the chair; they talked to Stuart, not over him.

We were so excited and Stuart was like the cat that got the cream. He continued with his treatment, keeping focused on the date.

Joyce, Stuart’s mum

We had lunch with the Red Arrows and then we watched a flying display; our very own flying display just for Stuart. I find it very hard indeed to put into words how this made me and his dad feel. Stuart was quite overwhelmed that he was there with the Red Arrows. He came away with a goodie bag, photos and a CD of the Red Arrows. He also came away with life.

I took more than 400 photos that day. Such precious photos, which were all printed off and put into two large photo albums for Stuart, which he treasured. He never stopped talking about his Special Day and the photo albums went everywhere he went. A few weeks later Stuart received a package from the Reds. It was the group photo of us all with them and everyone had signed it for him. This photo was framed and hung pride of place in Stuart’s room. He had copies made and framed them to give to family and friends for gifts. He gave one to the nurse at the Marsden who had put him forward to Willow, to say thank you to her. She just loved it.

Sadly Stuart deteriorated much sooner then any of us expected. He was admitted to the hospice a week after his 27th birthday. The photo and albums went with him and all the nurses there looked through them and asked him about his Special Day. He loved to talk about it. He told everyone how great the day had been, how proud and honoured he felt.

Stuart passed away in November, just two months after his Special Day. As devastating as this is for his dad and I, when we look at the photos of Stuart’s Special Day, we remember just how happy the day made him. We will always remember just what Willow and the Red Arrows did for Stuart and neither of us will ever forget that day; we hold it as close to our hearts as we do Stuart.

Vicki’s Special Day story

Soon after Vicki was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, her partner proposed. But due to her ongoing treatments they never got the chance to celebrate their engagement. So for Vicki’s Special Day, Willow arranged for them both to visit London, eat at Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant and make everlasting memories together.

We’d not had the chance to celebrate our engagement, so we were really looking forward to an evening out in London. Having the Special Day to look forward to got me through most of my treatment and it was a way of giving ourselves a milestone to get to. It was a really lovely way to celebrate putting the cancer behind us and spending time together without the focus being on hospitals, doctors and medications.

It made such a difference having that time together, making memories that we’ll never forget.

Vicki

We spent the weekend together just having fun, being tourists. We visited the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and went on both the Big Bus and Thames Boat Tours.

We had such a lovely time; we were looked after really well and I felt so spoilt. It made such a difference having that time together, making memories that we’ll never forget.