On Valentines' Day 2018, James and I were delivered the life-shattering news that every couple dreads, James had cancer. He was diagnosed with Epithelioid Angiosarcoma., with a primary tumour on his shoulder and metastatic disease in both lungs. Dr Google informed us that this was a particularly aggressive and hard to treat cancer, particularly at Stage 4. Chemotherapy was started quickly but at the next scan we discovered the disease was still spreading. The chemo was then changed and James' quality of life improved as he tolerated the drug in a much better way. During the next few months, we had lots of incredible holidays (including our honeymoon!), time with family and friends and generally just making the most of all the time we had together. James was incredibly brave and inspirational every single day - he never moaned or complained about his illness and never once felt sorry for himself. Given the nature of his diagnosis, he was incredibly positive and was able to find humour in the darkest of circumstances.

Unfortunately, in August it was discovered that the Angiosarcoma had spread to James' brain, where there were multiple large tumours. He had radiotherapy and a shed load of steroids (James became comically obsessed with food - Homer Simpson constantly thinking about donuts is an apt description) and this led to stability of the brain tumours and even some shrinkage which was so encouraging. This was the first time we had felt real hope that James may actually be able to manage his disease for a decent period of time! He was able to continue to live life to the fullest, including a fabulous evening at the Multiplex Christmas party in London and a very swanky night at The Waldorf  - a very precious weekend that I will always treasure (particularly the hangover donuts at Winter Wonderland the next day)!

Within days of this amazing trip, James became very unwell with an enormous brain haemorrhage. He passed away very peacefully and quickly on Tuesday 4th December 2018. He despised the thought of weakening and losing his independence, so clearly decided to quit while he was ahead and still feeling amazing!

James was and will always be my husband, best friend, soul mate, Daddy to our furbaby and just the most incredibly genuine, hilarious and caring man I will ever meet. I miss him horrendously already and am completely devastated but relieved that my handsome man is no longer suffering or waking up wondering when it will all come crashing down.

In his memory, I am carrying on his charitable legacy and hope to be able, one day, to help to stop this hideous and deadly disease taking any more lives. Sarcoma UK help to fund life changing research and do incredible work with people directly affected by all Sarcomas and was a charity very close to James' heart. 2019 is set to be a busy year of fundraising, I am running the London Marathon in April and organising a Valentines' ball (contact me for more info).

Any donations would be incredible, no matter how small!

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported James, myself and our families during this horrendously testing year. It has been invaluable and we definitely wouldn't have had half as much fun without the love, positivity and food parcels!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read our story and thank you in advance for your donations and support!

Emma Willis