Stella Cooper.

In January of 2014, Stella was diagnosed with breast cancer and metastatic spread to her bones.

February 2014, Stella underwent surgery and had a mastectomy.

Chemotherapy started in the February until July 2014 and it was at this point in her fight against the cancer that Stella found inner strength to compete in the Cancer Research UK's Race for life. Supported by her friends and fellow nurses on the Endoscopy Unit.

February 14th 2015, Stella married her soul mate Richard whom has been a tower of strength to her and their son Joe.

October 2015, they received news that the cancer had spread to Stella's liver and her battle with chemotherapy began again until April 2016.

January 2017, Stella had preventative surgery, a total Hysterectomy to reduce the risk of the cancer spreading.

Since Stella's initial diagnosis, she has maintained positivity and has been such an inspirational woman. Not once has she curled up and shut out the world, even in times of devastation. Stella is a nurse and so has always spent her time caring for others. There have been times during her illness when she has been in so much pain but has still offered her help to friends in need. Stella has a heart of gold and we couldn't wish for a more special person to be in our lives.

Together, Stella and her son have completed the 'race for life' and the 'Hospice to Hospice' walk.

Unfortunately in April 2017, Stella was diagnosed with Inflamed Tracheal Lymph Nodes and for this she received hormonal treatment. despite this new diagnosis Stella continued to work as a Nurse within the NHS.

It was evident now that Stella was struggling to get through the day. She was in pain, exhausted and yet still smiled and battled on to care for her patients.

June 2017, the pain was too much. Her haemoglobin levels and platelets were low. Stella was admitted to hospital and received an urgent blood transfusion. The doctors feared that her bone marrow may be infected and took a bone marrow biopsy. This was a painful procedure but her inner strength kept her strong for Richard and Joe.

It was at this time when Stella decided that she could no longer work and so her nursing career has sadly ended.

Another course of chemotherapy was on the horizon but yesterday Stella and her family received devastating news that her terminal cancer has spread to her brain.

Understandably Stella and her family are absolutely heart broken and yet their strength to keep fighting this dreadful disease is even stronger.

Stella once told me how she had always dreamt of taking her son to see Santa in Lapland. Please help to raise the funds needed to make this dream come true whilst Stella is still strong enough to travel, so that the three of them can make some magical memories.