The end of October marks one whole year the planet has orbited the sun without my little beautiful sunshine of a mum. For those who don't know, my mum, Eileen Hay, spent the last 2 years of her life in a relentless battle with stage 4 lung cancer. Diagnosed pretty late on, she endured several rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, giving every last fight she had until the 26th of October 2024. Watching a woman so strong, driven and determined slowly lose her sparkle over this period of time was the hardest thing I've ever had to watch.
Losing many family members to cancer herself, my mum has always participated in various charity runs, walks, marathons and courses to give everything she could back to the people who looked after her own family in the toughest times. I watched and joined her in training for so many different charity events growing up, and I am so proud of everything she accomplished in her life.
In the last couple of months of my mum's illness, she received so much help and care from the Beatson and, in particular, MacMillan cancer nurses. I feel now, it's only right, that I myself follow in my mum's footsteps to give back to the people who not only cared for my mum, but helped and guided me and my family through such a heartbreaking and traumatic journey.
Myself, My brother inlaw Craig, and my cousin Sacha will be participating in the Glasgow half-marathon on the 5th of October to celebrate and commemorate the wonderful life of Eileen Hay, to pay tribute to how much she supported and loved us all individually and most importantly to raise money for the Macmillan Cancer Support, to maybe one day change the ending to someone elses story and at the very least allow more people the care and comfort provided by this charity during such hardship.
We would be more than grateful for any donation possible and thank anyone who has taken the time to read this and share.
This one's for you, wee Eileen. You may be gone, but you'll most certainly never be forgotten. Especially if I have anything to do with it.
Lots of Love from your adoring Daughter Emma x
More information about Macmillan Cancer Support: The number of people diagnosed with cancer is growing, and every one of them needs the best support to meet their unique needs. That's why we'll do whatever it takes to help everyone living with cancer across the UK get the support they need right now and transform cancer care for everyone who will be diagnosed in the future. For information, support or just someone to talk to, call 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk/whateveryouneed