Support Kirsty’s Fight With Bowel Cancer.

Hi. I’m Joe.

My very close friend and business partner, Kirsty, needs your help. So I would like to share her story with you.

Just over a month ago, Kirsty was enjoying a special time in her life on maternity leave, basking in the glow of motherhood with her beautiful 6-month-old boy, Lucas.

But on the 27th of September, Kirsty attended a hospital scan to identify the cause of pelvic pain and blood in her stools, symptoms she assumed were consistent with pregnancy and childbirth.

What was discovered shook the very foundations of Kirsty’s world. The scan revealed a tumour in her colon with shadows on her liver. The diagnosis to follow was stage 4 colorectal cancer with liver metastasis. Kirsty is only 31 years old. And a brand new mum.

The shock you’re feeling reading this won’t even come close to the feelings of panic, dread and sheer hopelessness that plagued Kirsty and her husband, Joe, in the days and weeks after. What should have been the most heart-warming and uniquely special time of their life, is now a gruelling fight against cancer. I spoke to Kirsty the day after her diagnosis and I felt the sadness, desperation and fear in her voice. It’s something that will never leave me.

Those of you who know Kirsty personally, like I do, will attest to her unique and compelling nature; she’s warm, kind, funny, loyal, trustworthy and full of integrity. Values she displays naturally with friends, family and colleagues alike. For those of you who don’t, it won’t be a stretch to imagine the horrors of this situation, especially for any parents reading this.

Kirsty has already endured more tragedies in her 31 years than most of us do in a lifetime. As a result, she doesn’t have any parents to support her emotionally or financially. She does not have any life insurance cover, either.

Despite Kirsty’s gentle disposition, she’s tough and resilient and strong, and she’s determined to do everything she can to beat this. In her own words: “The only outcome has to be that I beat this”.

With the support of an excellent NHS team, what lies ahead now is 6 months of intense chemotherapy, radiotherapy and ultimately surgery if the cancer responds to initial treatment.

As if this tragic situation isn’t hard enough, the challenges of raising a baby and the day-to-day pressures of life won’t go away. Included are the added financial strains that a cancer diagnosis brings with it.

"Thirty per cent of people with cancer experience a loss of income as a result of their cancer, with those affected losing, on average, £860 per month" - Macmillan Cancer Support

Despite some state-funded support, Kirsty, Joe and Lucas will have a significantly reduced household income and need our help with:

Please help and support them in any way you can. However much you can afford will be gratefully received and will give Joe and Kirsty one less thing to worry about.

Just £10.00 will pay for transport for one hospital appointment.

Thank you.