A message from Sarah: My dear friend Jo (who is more like a sister to me) and the aunty of my 3 children was diagnosed with stage 4 hodgkins lymphoma on September 26th 2016 after months of feeling unwell. It was on her daughter's (Keira's) 7th birthday she received the devastating news but she still gave her the best day. She underwent a course of chemo and was told it had responded well. A few days later she was called to say they had made a mistake and that she needed more treatment. She endured another bout of chemo and suffered dreadful side effects including terrible mouth ulcers and contracted c diff which she still has and has flare ups which she ends up in hospital for days in isolation. Whilst in hospital she's away from her partner Lee and 3 kids Keira 7, Dylan 9 and Christian 2. They have been deeply affected by their Mum's illness too and have fears when their Mum's in hospital. Jo stays strong for them not feeling strong herself. She's missed plays and awards the kids receive at school. At Easter she had her scan again. It was bitter sweet as because although the extensive tumours had all gone there was cancer on her windpipe that wasn't previously there. This was a secondary cancer and this one was affecting her breathing as it was pressing on the lungs. She is now at the end of the 3rd extensive bout of chemo and this will be followed up with a stem cell transplant lantern. She'll need to be in hospital for around a month being on chemo every day of these 4 weeks. I marry the man of my dreams in 5 weeks and Jo was so excited with being my Maid of Honour. She was honoured to do it now looks like she's not going to be able to make it as it falls around the time her 4 week chemo starts. She has not only missed out on precious time with her kids but will now be poorly for the wedding or not be there. She has endured so much and so has her family I'm hoping to raise enough funds for a little time away for her and Lee with the kids.