Help Zoe achieve her bucket list
Donation protected
Never did I think I would be sat here writing this. As a big sister I have done all the usual things, been a best friend, an enemy, stayed up late talking about boys, plotted against the evil parents for grounding us (a slight exaggeration we thought!), fought off bullies, played, laughed, and cried. But never did I think I would have to go on to create a GoFundMe page to ask for people’s help so that my sister could complete a wish list before it is too late.
Zoe is my only sister and mummy to 2 beautiful boys. She finally met the love of her life, Chris, and they had started to build a future together, planning to travel and see the world, making memories and living life to the full.
In May 2020, the unbelievable happened and Zoe, aged only 30, was diagnosed with colon cancer. She was quickly started off on a course of Radiotherapy which was followed by a round of Chemotherapy in the July. The treatment made Zoe sick, very tired and she lost all her hair.
Sadly, the Chemo and Radiotherapy cocktail of treatment Zoe was given caused her white blood cell levels to drop extremely low, resulting in her passing out. It was decided that her body needed a break from the Chemo until she was strong enough to continue.
During the break in treatment the cancer spread to Zoe’s liver. This turned Zoe’s world even more upside down than it already was. Not only had the cancer spread, but due to Covid-19 she had to attend all appointments alone and her cancer care team had gone from talking about cures to discussing different treatment options to try and prolong her life for as long as possible.
In September 2020, Zoe was diagnosed with secondary liver cancer. This diagnosis came with the petrifying survival rate of only 14% of people surviving over 5 years. The Doctors spoke to her about the importance of remaining positive and leading a healthy lifestyle. Zoe’s partner Chris was on the case straight away, switching them all to a plant-based diet, no sugar, fresh food, lots of vitamins and fruit and veg packed smoothies for the times Zoe feels unable to eat.
Since her diagnosis Zoe has been through the emotional and physical turmoil others in her situation can relate to. Constant hospital appointments, blood tests, scans, tantrums, emotional break downs, you name it, she has done it, but she refuses to let it take everything away from her and on the days where she feels ok, she makes the most of joining in with the family activities most of us take for granted.
In November 2020, Zoe started a palliative treatment called Chemoembolisation which meant less trips to the hospital. Zoe was happy about this!
In December 2020, Zoe started fainting very regularly and would faint anywhere from 2 to 15 times a day. This was very scary for Zoe, her partner Chris and 9-year-old Mason. It also meant that Zoe could not be left alone or go anywhere without someone with her. Zoe was sent for an MRI scan and a lumber puncture to try and find out what was causing her fainting. Doctors discovered that Zoe had Encephalitis (a shadow on her brain). Not only was this the cause of Zoe’s fainting but it also caused her to start losing her sight and hearing on her right side. Zoe was put on steroids and anti-biotics and was on complete bedrest all over Christmas.
In January 2021, Zoe was told that the Chemotherapy was not working as it should and due to the size and position of the tumour, she could not have surgery.
Although, as a family, we always try our best to remain positive and hang on tight to that very small glimmer of hope, Zoe has a bucket list, things she wants to do, memories she wants to make and adventures she wants to go on. As her big sister I want to help. I cannot take her illness away; I cannot make her feel better but maybe I could help to take some of the financial pressures away and help towards making some of her dreams come true. I want to raise some money to help her achieve these things. I want her to have the opportunity to experience new things and make the best of the time she has left.
Zoe is my only sister and mummy to 2 beautiful boys. She finally met the love of her life, Chris, and they had started to build a future together, planning to travel and see the world, making memories and living life to the full.
In May 2020, the unbelievable happened and Zoe, aged only 30, was diagnosed with colon cancer. She was quickly started off on a course of Radiotherapy which was followed by a round of Chemotherapy in the July. The treatment made Zoe sick, very tired and she lost all her hair.
Sadly, the Chemo and Radiotherapy cocktail of treatment Zoe was given caused her white blood cell levels to drop extremely low, resulting in her passing out. It was decided that her body needed a break from the Chemo until she was strong enough to continue.
During the break in treatment the cancer spread to Zoe’s liver. This turned Zoe’s world even more upside down than it already was. Not only had the cancer spread, but due to Covid-19 she had to attend all appointments alone and her cancer care team had gone from talking about cures to discussing different treatment options to try and prolong her life for as long as possible.
In September 2020, Zoe was diagnosed with secondary liver cancer. This diagnosis came with the petrifying survival rate of only 14% of people surviving over 5 years. The Doctors spoke to her about the importance of remaining positive and leading a healthy lifestyle. Zoe’s partner Chris was on the case straight away, switching them all to a plant-based diet, no sugar, fresh food, lots of vitamins and fruit and veg packed smoothies for the times Zoe feels unable to eat.
Since her diagnosis Zoe has been through the emotional and physical turmoil others in her situation can relate to. Constant hospital appointments, blood tests, scans, tantrums, emotional break downs, you name it, she has done it, but she refuses to let it take everything away from her and on the days where she feels ok, she makes the most of joining in with the family activities most of us take for granted.
In November 2020, Zoe started a palliative treatment called Chemoembolisation which meant less trips to the hospital. Zoe was happy about this!
In December 2020, Zoe started fainting very regularly and would faint anywhere from 2 to 15 times a day. This was very scary for Zoe, her partner Chris and 9-year-old Mason. It also meant that Zoe could not be left alone or go anywhere without someone with her. Zoe was sent for an MRI scan and a lumber puncture to try and find out what was causing her fainting. Doctors discovered that Zoe had Encephalitis (a shadow on her brain). Not only was this the cause of Zoe’s fainting but it also caused her to start losing her sight and hearing on her right side. Zoe was put on steroids and anti-biotics and was on complete bedrest all over Christmas.
In January 2021, Zoe was told that the Chemotherapy was not working as it should and due to the size and position of the tumour, she could not have surgery.
Although, as a family, we always try our best to remain positive and hang on tight to that very small glimmer of hope, Zoe has a bucket list, things she wants to do, memories she wants to make and adventures she wants to go on. As her big sister I want to help. I cannot take her illness away; I cannot make her feel better but maybe I could help to take some of the financial pressures away and help towards making some of her dreams come true. I want to raise some money to help her achieve these things. I want her to have the opportunity to experience new things and make the best of the time she has left.
Fundraising team (2)
Claire Winter
Organizer
England
Zoe Clarke
Beneficiary
Lewis Winter
Team member
