In 2023, my twin sister Liz was diagnosed with breast cancer. We were all devastated by this news but kept faith that she would be able to make a full recovery.

The side effects from chemotherapy was horrendous. Most rounds of chemo ended with her being rushed to the hospital. She also suffered unbearable headaches throughout the treatment. Then in November she underwent a mastectomy and in April 2024 she began 21 rounds of radiation.

The headaches continued throughout her radiation treatment & these were diagnosed initially as side effects, then as the result of stress. Finally, her ‘one-year scan’ confirmed that she was cancer free. Despite the relief we all felt, the headaches continued and got steadily worse.

On April 26th this year Liz went to A&E and insisted on a CAT scan, which they reluctantly agreed to do. This revealed that the cancer had spread to her brain, where they found two large tumours.

We were all distraught - how had this been missed? We were eventually told that her one-year scan had been restricted to the primary site (her breast), and that this is standard practice...

Liz’s cancer was inoperable, and despite caring for her at home for three weeks, her symptoms quickly became more than the prescribed pain medication could manage.

Enter Clare from the Garden House Hospice! Clare moved mountains to get Liz admitted. Finally, we had people who listened and cared, not just for Liz but for the family too. Their kindness, care and love made a real difference to Liz, and to us all. Their patience, understanding and concern was genuine - Liz never felt like a burden and never felt unheard. This was true for us all. Food would magically appear when we didn’t know we needed it, and a family suite was available so that we could be close by. There was even a bed by her side so that one of us could hold her hand while she slept.

Liz died on June 19th 2025, less than 8 weeks after being diagnosed. She was 45 years old.

The care that the hospice team continued. They helped us deal with the devastation of Liz’s death: they supported us with counselling and they made sure that we aware that their support has no expiration date - we can call on them anytime we need help. They were there in our darkest days and they continue to be there. They are a truly remarkable group of exceptional people.

The Garden House Hospice relies heavily on donations, and we feel it is hugely important to give back to them, so that another family can receive the same care and support we received during this hugely traumatic time.

The hospice is located in peaceful, beautiful gardens, with home-grown fruit and veg. The building itself is quiet, welcoming, and lacks the noise, the bustle and the clinical smells of a hospital.

We would like to ask anyone reading this to please donate to the Garden House Hospice in memory of Liz. Hospices receive only 30% of their funds from the government, and demand for hospice care is rising, as are the costs of providing it. At the moment they are only able to offer 8 of their 12 beds because of lack of funds.

We want the care that this amazing group of people gave us to remain available to as many people as possible, so please help us to help them. Anything you give will make a big difference to them...and this would mean the world to Liz and to us.

Thank you.