This time two years ago life was good. happily married, loving family, good friends, job I enjoyed and a baby on the way. I had no idea of the journey I was about to go on.......

I will never forget the day that phone call came. Two weeks before my beautiful daughter Kitty-rose was born. The day that Mummy phoned to tell me she had cancer! There I was 38 weeks pregnant and I felt that my world had just fallen apart. Its such a cliché to say she wasn't only my mum she was my best friend but this is true! She wasn't only my friend but everybody's friend. A warm and generous person with a big personality and a bigger heart.

The 19 month journey that followed this news was full of heartache and hope, sadness and laughter, smiles and tears, anger for what we were loosing but gratitude for what we had been so lucky to have. The rollercoaster ride of emotions was mentally and physically challenging for us all, but for no-one more than mummy.

Mummy spent lots of time in and out of hospital while she fought hard against her disease, and in January 2010 she was transferred to the Marie Curie Hospice in Belfast (one of the nine Marie Curie Hospice's in the UK) for what we thought at that time was rehab in preparation for coming home. During this time the care that was given to Mummy was not only professional but heartfelt and sincere. Mummy not only received a standard of medical care that was second to none but was cared for emotionally also. The staff spent time with us, getting to know us and they built up a rapport and a friendship with Mummy that was heart-warming and genuine. We were made feel like we were the only family in the Hospice. Everyone from the Doctors to the Nurses, the receptionist to the volunteers took the time to get to know mummy and ourselves. Marie Curie employ more than 2700 Nurses, Doctors and other HeaIthcare Professionals. They expect to care for 29,000 terminally ill patients while also supporting their families. It is hard to explain in words the gratitude that myself, Eamonn and mummy's entire family feel towards the staff of the hospice but its fair to say that we will be eternally grateful for the way they cared for mummy and for us.

Marie Curie also fund seven scientific teams investigating the causes and treatments of cancer, a disease that unfortunately most of us will be touched by at some point in our lives.

Mummy passed away on Valentines Day 2010 in the Marie Curie Hospice. A day we will never forget! On this day we said goodbye to a wonderful and loving mother, a doting and devoted Nana, a caring and kind sister, a generous and witty auntie and a loyal and inspiring friend. I knew on this day that my life would never be the same.

Following Mummy's passing we wanted to find a way to thank the staff at Marie Curie for their care and compassion. We suddenly realised that this was not going to be easy. Words, flowers, chocolates seemed so insignificant following what we had witnessed over the last 6 weeks of mummy's life. We fundraised enough money through Mummy's nieces and nephews to buy individual gifts for all of the staff of the hospice which was such a fantastic thing to do. However; we felt that there was so much more we could do. So! The fundraising begins!! Starting with the Belfast Marathon on the 3rd of May 2010. Yes I did say 2010!!! Two Relay teams will be running in memory of Mummy (aka Diddles!) So please dig deep and support us supporting the most amazing charity I have ever experienced!

Mummy might be gone but her memory and spirit lives on within us. We miss her more than words can explain but we don’t want her to have died in vain. We want other cancer sufferer's and their families to be able to experience the love, care and support that we experienced through what was the most difficult time in our lives!

For more information on Marie Curie and the fantastic work they do please visit www.mariecurie.org.uk

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