"I am truly blessed, I've learnt to appreciate everything. My life has totally changed and its made me realise what is important!!! My family and friends are the best and I love them all the world!!!"

These were the words of a very special lady:

Katie Louise Daintith 26.10.87 – 29.01.13

In November 2011, Katie was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Initially, Katie was told not to worry and was reassured by medical staff that she would make a full recovery once treatment was given. 

Following the painful weeks of initial treatment, Kate was faced with more challenges; she was rushed to hospital in excruciating pain and was told that she was at a very high risk of perforation. It was then that Katie was given the bombshell that the cancer had in fact spread and was now living in both her liver and her lungs.Ever the fighter, Katie spent Christmas undergoing extensive and aggressive chemo-radiation, in the hope that the initial tumour in her bowel would be shrunk enough for her to have surgery and have it removed. Doctors reassured her that the main concern was to focus on the primary tumour before dealing with the METS.

Once the 8 weeks of treatment were over, Katie had further scans which confirmed her worst nightmare. The treatment had been unsuccessful and the cancer had spread dramatically. Never one to back down Katie was given hope by an Oncologist. The Oncologist told Kate how things were black and white and what she could expect and the possible choices she could make...Katie’s choice…fight back!!!

Katie underwent further treatment and suffered months of torture, having ridiculously strong chemotherapy followed by drugs that were not even properly established in the UK yet. Any fight option she was given, she took and she fought. She gave the cancer a strong battle. 

In May 2012, Katie married the man of her dreams and father of little Kimberley, Peter Daintith, in a fairy-tale wedding! No one would believe that Katie was going through such hell when she looked so amazing and acted so gracefully. Katie had her dream come true and she decided no one could take this away from her, not even the devil that is cancer.

She continued to fight for the following months spending several weeks in and out of both hospital and Willowbrook Hospice. It was there that she felt safe, and that no matter what happened to her she knew she was in the best place to be.

It was here that Katie spent her last hours of life, before sadly and regrettably leaving us on January 29th of this year. Katie's family take some comfort from knowing that she was in the one place she felt safe, with the people who mattered most to her. The care she received whilst in Willowbrook hospice was brilliant, from all healthcare, nursing and medical staff. She really did appreciate everything that they did for her and even asked that at her funeral that instead of people buying flowers they donated to the hospice.

Katie's brother, Tom Ellison, will be competing in the Tough Mudder event in Winchester on Sat 8th June 2013 along with a team of willing friends to help each other complete the course and help raise as much as we can for this wonderful cause. Tough Mudder is one of the toughest events on the planet, please click the link below for more info.

So please donate any money, big or small to help support this wonderful hospice, that provides comfort and expert care to those who need it most!!

"When it rains, look for rainbows. When it's dark, look for stars"

Tough Mudder link : #mce_temp_url#