Willow News - Spring 2014

newsThe magazine for supporters of Willow

2014 issue 24

Read about Special Days across the UK

Do you have a Will of Iron?

Take Time for Tea this June

Willow news v9 AW.indd 1 26/02/2014 14:56

I came across Willow some years ago when sponsoring a colleague to run the London Marathon. After learning about their wonderful work, I decided to find out what more I could do to help. Ever since, I have spent every Friday working at Willow House as a Community Volunteer. I love volunteering at Willow events too. It’s fun, fulfilling and I am constantly impressed by the caring professionalism and dedication of all the staff and volunteers.

What’s newThere’s a buzz in the office at the moment as Willow is launching the new and very exciting (but challenging!) Will of Iron this May (page 11). If that’s a bit too much, you could join me in having a Take Timefor Tea (page 7) party and indulge in some cake with family and friends or even at work.

There is so much you can get involved with to help provide more Special Days, perhaps I’ll see you participating in an event or maybe as one of the cheering teams on the sidelines. However you choose to get involved, you will be helping to make more Special Days a reality for many seriously ill young adults across the UK.

On behalf of everyone at Willow, thank you for all your help and support.

DerekWillow volunteer

Welcome My name is Derek Albone and I’m a volunteer at Willow. I’m hugely excited to be able to introduce this, the first edition of the new-look Willow News.

Front cover: Karine is 37, a mother of two and living with breast cancer. Her Special Day with her young family helped them to create precious memories of happy, carefree times together.

Willow was founded

in 1999 by former

Arsenal goalkeeper

and TV presenter,

Bob Wilson and his

wife, Megs, as a lasting

memorial to their

daughter, Anna, who

died of cancer aged 31.

Here’s a glimpse at some recent Special Days

2


Share your experiencesYou can make a huge difference just by sharing your story and photos with us. Whether you have experienced a Special Day or have raised money to support them, we’d love to

hear from you. Like, share, comment and help spread the word about Special Days! Find us at facebook.com/willowfoundation or follow us on twitter @willow_fdn

If you have any photos you would like to share with us from your Special Day or fundraising event we would like to feature them in our newsletter, on our website and in our promotional materials.

Please email your original photos to us at [email protected]

3


I married Jonathan in 2011 and our lives seemed perfect. Just weeks later, I suffered debilitating back pain and a loss of sensation in my legs. We were shocked when scans showed a large tumour on my spine.

I immediately had two surgeries and a diagnosis of malignant high grade osteosarcoma – a rare and difficult to treat cancer.

As I recovered from surgery and prepared for nine-months of tough chemotherapy, there was more bad news – the tumour had returned and this time was inoperable. The little hope that I’d one day recover evaporated. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed.

At the start of 2013, with final treatments behind me, I’d regained some mobility in my legs and was well-enough to travel. We decided to go to China to visit my family. Saying goodbye to relatives for what was likely to be the last time was harder than any of the surgeries or treatments.

Confined to a wheelchairIn June, the growing tumour was pressing on my spinal cord. Within ten days, I was paralysed from the chest down and confined to a wheelchair. I was completely dependent on my husband and care workers. Doctors said I might only have months to live.

It made me realise I can still dream…Ting is 30 and living with incurable bone cancer. After all the hospital appointments and treatment, her one wish for her Special Day was to see her husband smile again. Here she shares her story with us.

“The experience left me with wonderful memories.”

4


At first, I thought such a life was not worth living. However, memories of all the happy times and the thought of my Willow Special Day kept me going.

The most wonderful giftWith the love of good food in common since the day we met, our Willow wish was to have a date in a nice restaurant. We quickly decided on the world famous restaurant, Fat Duck.

With my paralysis so recent, getting around was a struggle, but Willow took care of absolutely everything.

The experience left me with wonderful memories. Jonathan has been my carer, cook, physio, nurse, driver and shoulder

to cry on, and seeing him relax and smile for the first time in years was the most wonderful gift anyone could ask for.

I couldn’t stay strong without the support of loved ones and organisations like Willow. Thank you so much Willow for helping me realise my dreams.

It made me realise I can still dream…

Contact our team today to learn more about how you can help raise more funds for days like Ting’s. Call 01707 259 777 or visit willowfoundation.org.uk

“As the day approached, we became more excited.

It was the most romantic and memorable meal in

years and I don’t remember the last time I’d seen

such a big smile on my husband’s face.”

5


OUR COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

Ways to get involvedFor more information and ways you can help visit

willowfoundation.org.uk or give us a call on 01707 259 777

Charity reg. No. 1106746

willowfoundation.org.uk/tea

party and help support seriously ill 16-40 year olds

Email [email protected] Call 01707 259 777

Right now there are 100,000 young adultsliving with a life-threatening illness in theUK. Every pound you raise will help usreach more of them with Special Days.

Includes FREE recipes

This June, make tea break count; hold a tea

your

Request yourtea party pack today.

Take TimeforTea

WIN £1,000

Our second annual Special Days

National Raffle is coming soon!

Buy raffle tickets or get involved

and sell them to your friends

and family or even at a

Summer fair.

Big birthday or tying the knot

this year? Why not ask for

donations to Willow instead

of gifts. We also offer Willow

wedding favours for your

special day.

Raise funds while

you celebrate

Have your cake and eat it!

Take Time for Tea and turn your

tea break into a fundraiser for

Willow. Eat cake and help

make more Special Days.of gifts. We also offer Willow

wedding favours for your

special day.

Whether it’s a golf day, quiz night or karaoke session, get your friends and family together, ask for donations and have some fun!

Organise an event

01707 259 777

Raise funds while

you celebrate

and sell them to your friends

Organise an event Organise an event Organise

Have your cake Local school children

take part in a cake decorating contest.

Last year’s

lucky raffle

winner, David.

Whether it’s a golf day,

Uni students organised a whole day of fundraising events.

6


OUR COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

Charity reg. No. 1106746

willowfoundation.org.uk/tea

party and help support seriously ill 16-40 year olds

Email [email protected] Call 01707 259 777

Right now there are 100,000 young adultsliving with a life-threatening illness in theUK. Every pound you raise will help usreach more of them with Special Days.

Includes FREE recipes

This June, make tea break count; hold a tea

your

Request yourtea party pack today.

Take TimeforTea


Willow is the only charity providing Special Days for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds across the UK. So whether you’re from Edinburgh, Belfast, London or Cardiff, we’re here to help. This year we are extending our services to the Channel Islands, working towards our aim of ensuring more young adults with life threatening illness have the chance to experience their own memorable Special Day.

Blaine, 17, is living with muscular dystrophy. He and his family travelled from Belfast to visit the Arsenal training ground on his Special Day.

“I, as a mother, feel so helpless that I cannot ease Blaine’s pain or cure his illness but then people like you make life easier by fulfilling his life long dream to meet the Arsenal Team.”

Special Days near and far...

8


If we can help you, or someone you know, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Please call us on 01707 259 777 for more information. You can now also apply online at willowfoundation.org.uk

Karine, 37, a mother of two, from Scotland is living with breast cancer. She asked Willow to arrange a very special Peppa Pig-inspired Campervan break for her young family.

“Thank you so much for making this happen... we’re so grateful you gave us the opportunity to light up those little faces, cementing precious memories which we’ll cherish forever.”

Jonathan, 23, from Yorkshire has lymphoma and chose to take his family to a Chelsea match for his Special Day.

“Having something this special to look forward to certainly helps with the resolve needed to fight through chemotherapy.”

Emily, 22 from Wales, is living with lymphoma. Her Special Day was spent in the luxury of the Orient Express.

“It meant a lot to do something which made me feel so pampered and special. A massive thank you – I’ll treasure the memory for many years.”

Alison, from Worcester, is 40. She is living with breast cancer and went on a helicopter flight.

“Having my Special Day made me feel valued and worthwhile during a time in which it was hard not to simply feel like a burden.”

Sean, 29, is from London and living with cystic fibrosis. He went to a music festival for his Special Day.

“At a time when I was at my lowest and was facing lengthy treatment that required permanent residence in hospital, hearing about Willow turned my misery into hope.”

9


Outdoors, in a gym, solo oras part of a team, this is astep up from all the rest!Do something special this May to help createSpecial Days for seriously ill young adults.

Sign up now at

willofiron.orgFirst 100 registrations receive anexclusive Will of Iron goody bag.

Reg

site

red

char

ity n

o 1

10

67

46WILL you take the

ultimate challenge?WILL you take the ultimate challenge?

Willow - Will of Iron A5 Advert 13/02/2014 19:44 Page 1


Challenge Events Programme13 April Virgin Money London Marathon

May Will of Iron (UK-wide)

24–25 May London 2 Brighton Challenge (walk or run)

25 May BUPA London 10K

2–3 August Virgin Active London Triathlon

10 August Ride London 100 Bike Ride

5 October Willow 10K – Hatfield

Various dates Three Peaks Challenge

Various date London to Paris Bike

Various dates Skydives (UK-wide)

Various dates Great Wall of China Trek

Various dates Kilimanjaro Trek

Are you up tothe challenge?

Richard Ben Nevis, Three Peaks

Ed Skydive

Pauline Great North Swim

There are so many ways you can support Willow, you’ll never be short for choice. Choose from a host of walks, short runs and bike rides, as well as tougher challenges like marathons, triathlons, swims, skydives and overseas treks. We are extremely lucky to have so many wonderful people like you who support Willow by taking part in these events.

Our Special Days wouldn’t happen without you.Thank you!

Find out about these challenges and more at willowfoundation.org.uk/challenges

If you’re stuck for choice give us a call on 01707 259 777 or email [email protected] for more information.

20

1413 April Virgin Money London Marathon

20

1413 April Virgin Money London Marathon

Outdoors, in a gym, solo oras part of a team, this is astep up from all the rest!Do something special this May to help createSpecial Days for seriously ill young adults.

Sign up now at

willofiron.orgFirst 100 registrations receive anexclusive Will of Iron goody bag.

Reg

site

red

char

ity n

o 1

10

67

46WILL you take the

ultimate challenge?WILL you take the ultimate challenge?

Willow - Will of Iron A5 Advert 13/02/2014 19:44 Page 1

11


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Documents

Willow News - Spring 2014