Ali McGee- fundraising for St Cuthbert’s hospice and Darcy

Vikki Atkinson is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi. We are fundraising on behalf of our beloved Ali McGee whose wish was to raise funds in her memory for her Bestie (granddaughter) Darcy’s future and for St Cuthberts Hospice for the great work they do in supporting people like Ali in their final days.

Let me explain Ali’s story!!

In 2022 Ali began to feel unwell, especially when eating and for anyone who knows Ali, the very thing she loved most. For a while she managed the symptoms, however still feeling off it in May 2022 she took herself off to see her doctor, who in turn referred her to the hospital and after some tests Ali and her family received the devastating news that she had stomach cancer. An overwhelming shock and from that moment their world changed forever.

Things moved faster than Ali and her family could have imagined. The cancer was already advanced by the time Ali noticed any symptoms, and the sickness she'd been feeling was just the tip of the iceberg. She bravely faced her first round of chemotherapy, and plans were made for a total gastrectomy in September, where her entire stomach would be removed in hopes of stopping the cancer.

Despite the enormity of the surgery, Ali’s incredible strength shone through (as everyone who knows and loves her would expect)-she was up and walking the hospital halls the very next day, again showing the determination and resilience, many wouldn’t consider possible, however her passion for life and family, especially her Bestie Darcy spurred her on!!

Moving forward to March 2024. Ali having managed a massive change in her lifestyle, learned to live post cancer and being the incredible woman she was, she through sheer grit, determination and a love for life, her family and work family, started back at work on 18th March with IAS. Ali went back through training and approval and fit straight back into working ways with the support of her team.

March 2024, All was doing as well as could be excepted , she was working hard midweek and at weekends sharing quality time with her family, her boys, Lloyd and Matt and her Bestie Darcy, then on September 10th, Ali felt unwell and in some pain, she made the decision to return to the hospital, where tests were immediately carried out.

Here is the most painful, heartbreaking part to this story. Post numerous tests. Ali and her boys were given the news, no one should ever receive. Ali’s cancer had returned and in an aggressive manner, so much so that Ali was advised she was terminal with limited time remaining. Many at this time would just give up. Not Ali, why would she, when she had to fight to be with her beautiful family?! Ali was determined to fight, with possible but knew she would no longer be able to watch her boys thrive in life and her beloved Darcy grow up and become a beautiful young woman.

It was Ali’s deepest wish that we fund raise to support her Bestie Darcy to have the best future possible and to raise funds to Thank St Cuthbert’s hospice Durham for the incredible care they gave her in her final days.

Ali is at peace now so please, on behalf of Ali help raise funds in her name for her beloved Granddaughters future and St Cuthbert’s hospice to help them support more people who will need their care in the future!!