Dear family and mates far and wide.

It is Shireen's firm wish that you don't waste money on flowers after she has taken her last breath - which she did peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday morning 26th November 2024. We would both rather you donate - as much as you can manage - to two organisations that provided us with sensational support and care over the past 4 years. Please - really - no flowers!

As most of you know Shireen received a devastating brain cancer diagnosis, with a very frightening prognosis in June 2021, and although she didn't want people to know it, the treating team indicated that she might not have even made Christmas that year - such is the awful nature of the dreaded GBM - Glioblastoma Multiforme.

In the face of that reality she - not surprisingly to those who know her - remained consistently composed, positive, dignified, quietly but fiercely resilient, totally engaged in our life, that of friends and family, and world matters.

She never once asked why me, or said this is not fair, never ever complained about the often time’s excruciatingly painful and distressing treatments, and the grind of appointments, tests and procedures. She dealt with the instant loss of independence- no more driving due to significant vision loss - with acceptance, patience and dignity...

From the outset, even before we knew exactly what we were dealing with, Shireen refused to let cancer define her, and didn’t want the focus of interactions with mates and family on the cancer business; she would answer questions about her health politely and briefly and quickly turn the conversation to other things. In the early days she referred to it as a "hiccup".

Although we knew we faced a tough battle we gave it our best shot and did absolutely everything in our power and more - supported by many sensational people and professionals - to try to beat this thing.

We managed to hold it at bay for way longer than anyone predicted - nearly 4 years. Miraculously - thanks to the many health giving professionals supporting us she managed to avoid some of the worst ravages of GBM - major personality change, unbearable headaches, and major seizures. They were always on my mind.

Thankfully she kept her beautiful persona and wonderful wit and intellect, and focus on others, right until the end. On the last day that she was able to communicate - one of the last things she said to me was to ask if a gorgeous young friend had made it home safely to the central coast after visiting her and returning during bad storms.....

During the past 4 years - which included 2 major brain surgeries, 30 straight days of chemo and radiation together, and 21 months of grueling chemotherapy with it's ghastly side effects - she focused firmly on living life - we walked the Able Tasman Track in New Zealand, she attended a huge family wedding in Malaysia, played golf in Barnbougle in Tassie, Cape Schank on the Mornington Peninsula, Narooma and other regional courses, and we did loads of wonderful local and regional travel.

I'm certain that you will be very shocked - as we were - to learn that what they call the Standard of Care for GBM - the approved treatment - doesn't work! which is why most people with it only live an average of 12 months after diagnosis.

You see - it all comes down to money. Research into treatments for cancers is funded primarily by the pharmaceuticals. They don’t bother investing in treatments for GBM as it’s considered a rare cancer and therefore they won’t make much money from it….let that sink in...... This is the startling and shocking truth - let me say it again - they don't bother investing adequately in effective treatments for GBM because there are not enough people who have it for them to make megabucks!!

We would deeply appreciate if you could contribute to a memorial fund for Shireen in support of 2 incredible organisations. We intend to split the final contributions equally between the two...

Firstly the work of the wonderful Dr Janet Schloss at the National Center for Naturopathic Medicine at the Southern Cross University, Lismore.

Chemo and radiation poisons, degrades and destroys the body and ruins quality of life. Whereas Naturopathy is a holistic approach to health care that aims to treat the whole person. Naturopathic medicine is based on the idea that the body has an innate ability to heal itself, and that symptoms are a way for the body to communicate an underlying imbalance. Naturopaths use a variety of non-invasive techniques to treat the root cause of an illness, rather than just suppressing symptoms.

We believe strongly that our Naturopaths were a key part of Shireen staying so strong and fit throughout the four years and able hold back the worst of GBM and achieve a reasonable quality of life - given the intense chemo/radiation treatment.

Our second organisation of choice for you to remember Shireen by is the magnificent Clare Holland House - Hospice in Canberra - where we were so blessed for Shireen, myself and our amazing support team - spent the final couple of weeks of her life.

Our time at CHH was the first time in 4 years where we felt seen, heard, respected, listened to, and treated with the utmost care and dignity - all of us.

Every single interaction and management of Shireen's health during our stay was taken with intense love, dignity, privacy and exquisite care. After 4 years of being hypervigilant to how Shireen was and what she needed day and night I was finally able to relax and step back knowing and trusting they knew exactly what she needed and gave that to her.

They quickly learnt how to interpret that faint frown or tensing of her body. The way each and every one of them so sensitively and exquisitely cared for her was like a miracle to watch and one of the biggest blessings we’ve ever received.

It restored my faith in humanity.

We believe everyone deserves this magnificent level of care during their final days and we implore to give as much as you are able to in memory of Shireen.

And a massive thanks for all your support of Shireen and me over the past 4 big years - it’s been a big ride - in so many ways…..

With much love

Kristen