My name is Tabby, I’m 27 years old and I am a patient at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2020, with no family history, no faulty genes, just pure rubbish luck. Being diagnosed was exactly how you’d imagine it to be, absolutely awful. That day was the worst day of my life. I was completely and utterly distraught.
I started treatment at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Wirral, two days before Christmas. Usually, I’d be in my PJs, stuffing my face with mince pies and Celebrations. Instead, I headed off to start my treatment - not quite the Christmas present I was hoping for! But the team were so lovely, warm, and welcoming. They made sure I was looked after and put me at ease on what was one of the scariest days of my life.
It's thanks to their care that this Christmas, I am supporting the Fairy Appeal.
Throughout December, hundreds of fairies will be displayed at Clatterbridge centres at Liverpool, Wirral and Aintree, each one representing someone special. There are many different reasons why you could choose to dedicate a Fairy, it could be in memory of a loved one, to say thank you to a member of staff who supported you or your family or friends at the hospital or to celebrate the special people in your life.
The care provided at Clatterbridge is second to none. I had seven rounds of chemo, over 21 weeks, which felt like such a long time. I had no idea how on earth I was going to get through it, but the staff are incredible and real-life superheroes - they saved my life, and many others too! I’m so thankful to them for everything they’ve done and continue to do for me.
The work done by their Charity is incredible too, raising money to help support local people going through cancer. It makes such a massive difference every single day and is so important in helping the future of cancer treatment innovations and research.
Will you make a donation to the Fairy Appeal this Christmas, to ensure they can continue to support these amazing projects to help people like me?
The Charity needs to help more and more people every year, and I was excited to hear their plans for the future. Each one of these projects will directly help people – just like me – who have experienced a cancer diagnosis.
Whether it’s supporting clinical trials, which allow local people access to the latest treatment; funding innovative equipment like cool caps, which prevent hair loss; helping to use technology to lead the way in cancer care or providing art therapy for patients to support wellbeing, it all makes a difference.