Around seven young people aged between 13 and 24 are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK. They need expert treatment and support from the moment they hear the word 'cancer'. Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) is the only charity dedicated to making this happen. They put young people in the best possible place, physically, mentally and emotionally, for their cancer treatment and beyond.

Abbie was first diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in July 2010, aged 14, and underwent five months of treatment at the Leeds General Infirmary TCT unit. Unfortunately, it came back soon afterwards having spread to her lung and chest resulting in a further six months of aggressive chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. By October 2011 she was in remission. 

Unfortunately, at Christmas 2014, she was told that it had returned - the worst possible news. Abbie underwent aggressive treatment yet again, this time at the TCT unit at St James's University Hospital. However, despite four months of treatment, Abbie lost her brave battle and died on 17 May 2015, aged 19.

Our family are devastated by her loss but remain extremely proud of the way in which Abbie coped with it all; in how she was always thinking about others; and in how she was determined to get on with her life and not let the cancer define her. She achieved her dream of going to university and was over the moon when she was offered a place at the University of Manchester to study adult nursing, starting September 2014. In spite of her re-diagnosis a few months later, she aced her semester one coursework and exams, attaining Firsts in them all. Truly impressive! 

We, as a family, feel that she has gone to a better place, where she can't suffer any more and that she had accepted that she was ready to go. Abbie had such a big personality, strength and determination, with a smile that could light up a room. She was a much loved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and friend. The world was a better place with her in it and she will be sorely missed.

Money donated in Abbie's memory will be used to help fund this special charity to ensure that they can support other teenagers and their families throughout treatment and hopefully through to remission. Please give what you can by donating via this page. Thank you!

"The ones that love us never really leave us", Sirius Black (Harry Potter)