Anna, Ed's wife, was a beautiful, intelligent, inspiring 37 year old and new mother to Alba. She would light up every room she walked into with her infectious smile. She would always have the time of day for anybody. Whether it was just for a chat, a shoulder to cry on or offering guidance to people who asked for it.
In June 2017 Anna was diagnosed with bowel cancer which had spread to her liver and lungs. Alba was only 6 months old. She started chemotherapy treatment at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.
After three rounds of chemotherapy and some radiotherapy, Anna tragically lost her battle with cancer on 7th June 2018 at the age of 38.
Anna showed incredible strength, bravery, resilience and kindness through her treatment and beyond. She never lost that infectious smile from her face. She continued to help people and change their outlook on life throughout her cancer journey. She truly was and still is a huge inspiration to so many people.
Throughout Anna's treatment, she was supported by the amazing charity, Victoria's Promise. They supplied her with counselling, specialist beauty treatments, cleaning services. Childcare was on offer along with wig funding. But what Anna got most out of Victoria's Promise was the live workshops. Bringing together young women going through similar journeys and challenges.
We are proud to be raising money for this charity who change people's lives with the support and services they offer and friendship groups they create.
Victoria’s Promise supports and empowers young women aged 18-50, and their families, through cancer and beyond.
On a national level, Victoria’s Promise provides online support through the Victoria’s Promise App, helping reduce the feeling of isolation by creating a community of young women who have an understanding of what each of them are going through. This unique community supports each other through their cancer journey giving them a platform to be raw and honest in a safe and friendly environment. They can share their emotions, worries and concerns about up and coming treatment, side effects of treatment or how their body is changing because of the cancer. It is also a place for the women just to have a conversation leaving them feeling uplifted and empowered. Weekly online webinars on worthwhile topics for the women to help them cope with a cancer diagnosis include, sleep therapy, relaxation, mental wellbeing and creative classes such as art therapy and Christmas wreath making. Online yoga is also available.
In the catchment area of the Hampshire Hospital Trust, Victoria’s Promise provides support which helps stabilise the family and home. Some of these services offered are, counselling for the immediate family, house cleaning, childcare and physical wellbeing. All these services mean that the woman can concentrate on getting better and als giving the family opportunities to spend vital time together.
VP Testimonials
“The support provided by Victoria's Promise stops you feeling like a patient, like a victim. They make you feel like you're being properly looked after. I didn't think anything positive would've come out of this past year, but Victoria's Promise was that positivity. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without Victoria’s Promise.” Nadine
“The help that Victoria’s promise has given me over the last few years has been invaluable. Since being diagnosed with melenoma almost 3 years ago, Victoria’s promise has really supported me by helping me learn to relax and manage any worry or anxiety that I’ve felt about my health. During lockdown the support continued and really has been such a help - I attend weekly online yoga classes and we’ve had a number of webinars on topics such as how to improve our sleep, skincare, mindfulness, meditation and even facial yoga! Being a full time working mum with two young children, these webinars have allowed me to ensure I have time to myself to relax, provided me with some practical skills that I can use on a day to day basis and also to see and speak to women who have shared similar experiences. Lockdown would have been quite different for me without this support and its thanks to the team at Victoria’s Promise.” Vicky