A love story with a twist. One of chance and fate.

Imagine, early autumn. The sun is still shining but there is a breeze in the air. Dan and I had just started to hang out, dancing around each other's feelings, both metaphorically and under the light of a full moon at a Cider festival!

Unknown to us, we had been living in each other's space for years. Sharing mutual friends, walking/cycling the same canal paths, simultaneously battling through 'life's challenges'. A simple Instagram follow is the start of this love story, followed by a tactical DM slide by myself, not knowing that Dan would turn out to be the love of my life. My soul mate. My forever partner.

Dan told me very early on that he was planning to spend the winter in Japan, to which I was devastated and thought I would be a distant memory. The end of 2022 came, Dan left for Japan and I had alot of inner work to do which, looking back, was the universe preparing me for something much bigger to tackle - more on that later.

My concerns were very quickly eradicated as our relationship blossomed, even with being at different ends of the earth. February 2023 came and so did a 'I think I may have broken my leg' message - wonderful!

Dan returned on crutches but still smiling. We always joke that I picked him up from the airport and just never left. As Dan was off work, it gave us the opportunity to spend some real quality time together because, really, we didn't *know* each other. It was wonderful. With that time we decided to spend the winter 2023 season back in Japan and then see where the world would take us from there. Finally, the time had come for me to feel and be free and embark on something exciting with a person that I loved.

Dan went back to work and in May 2023 started to feel a little dodgy. We took no notice, as you would. Nothing major to be concerned about. We climbed Ben Nevis at the end of July 2023, again no major concerns but still 'not right'.

August 2023 was when things started to get a little 'weird' and everything spiralled since then and brings us to 19/09/2023 - Dan was diagnosed with aggressive and incurable Stage 4 cancer. Unfortunately, this wasn't my first experience with a loved one being diagnosed with an aggressive cancer so my mind took over.

Our world's came crashing down over the coming weeks, with the actual diagnosis and treatment plans and the realisation that Japan and travelling was no more and life was going to be a little different and always will be going forward.

Time stood still. Emotions were intense yet 'nothingness' was felt. Information right at the beginning was thrown at us from all angles about everything we could possibly imagine by so many professionals. It was overwhelming yet reassuring at the same time.

At the very first appointment where we were given the diagnosis and the severity of such, we were handed over to the local Macmillan team who were responsible for Dan's specific cancer. Whenever you go to Macmillan Coffee Mornings or any other event whereby money is raised, we always enjoy buying the cakes and we know that our donation is going to a good cause but now I know. I know why Macmillan needs our fundraising.

Every single individual that we have encountered from Macmillan has been incredible. They have been an invaluable resource to us, always checking in on Dan each week to see how he is coping and even if Dan or anyone linked to Dan wished for help they are always on the other end of the phone.

They made sure that Dan's symptoms and side effects were treated as soon as possible, even before treatment started. They care, they really really do.

I cannot stress enough how important they are in this whole process. They are incredibly special angels on this earth which is why I would love to raise as much money for them as possible!

For any event/fundraiser that I take part in, this will be an ongoing link to donate.

Dan peacefully passed away on 20 February 2024 in the care of Marie Curie Hospice and Dan’s Macmillan Nurse came to visit him to say goodbye and he was so incredibly happy to see them. It was an incredibly moving moment.

I will never give up. For Dan, for my lost loved ones to cancer and to you all that it affects. I will fight along side you all and do all that I can to raise awareness, raise funds and give hope to anyone who needs it.

Whilst I hope that anyone reading this never has to experience or require the support from Macmillan, I just hope that this explains a little as to where your donation will be going and why it is so very much needed.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

All my love,

Bek

Thanks for supporting my fundraising. Macmillan gives people with cancer everything they’ve got. If you’re diagnosed, your worries are Macmillan’s worries. Macmillan’s doing whatever it takes. But without your help, Macmillan can’t support everyone who needs them.

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