Support Rachael & her family

Back in 2019 my sister Rachael was diagnosed with stage IV Bowel Cancer. Words no one ever wants to hear but especially after her youngest Joshua (5) had been diagnosed with Liver Cancer just 2 years prior. 

Rachael's Family Backstory

Since my nephew's diagnoses, Rachael took time off  work to care for him when he was undergoing his cancer treatment, which subsequently meant she stopped getting paid some time ago. In essence my sister and Tim's household income has been cut by over a third just because Rachael took the time to be there with Josh. This, on top of Rachael's diagnosis, has led to Tim taking breaks from work to be there for his family.  When recovering from the trauma of seeing her son go through cancer treatment, undergoing treatment herself but unsure if there'll be enough funds for the family each month, is a truly worrying time. Rachael, ever the dedicated civil servant would often be, at times, working while in the chemo chair - because she's bloody awesome like that!

Rachael's Story


On July 19, 2019 Rachael started her chemotherapy treatment. Her husband, Tim, who has been by her side through this said it was hard not to be angry at the injustice of the fact that all the other patients had at least 30 years on Rach. During her first rounds of chemo Rachael worked through an array of side effects ranging from not being able to drink or touch anything cold to not being able to taste anything. 

October 15, 2019 we were told that the course of chemotherapy Rachael had undergone hadn't responded, which meant the cancer had progressed, especially the tumours in her ovaries. This led to another 6 cycles over 3 months of a different chemo in the hopes it responded, with that came the potential of surgery.

On February 3, 2020 the latest scan results showed disease progression, which although disappointing her Oncologist had classified it as stable. The chemo was keeping the cancer under control, but sadly not shrinking as we'd hoped. Then the arduous wait to hear if surgery was an option began.

March 9, 2020 the surgical team concluded that Rachael's cancer was too advanced in the abdomen and liver for them to consider surgery there, as a viable option. This ended any hope we had of there being a curative path for her diagnosis. Her consultant moved on to get agreement for removing the tumours on her ovaries to assist with the pain she has. Chemo continued to keep everything at bay.

March 22, 2020 during a pandemic cancer doesn't stop. After feeling unwell for a few days Rachael was admitted to hospital with a fever and kidney pains. Tim, who is always by her side, had to drop her at A&E alone and in the same breath console to very upset young boys. Ever since then Rachael has been in and out of hospital and not been able to have anyone by her side in the most frightening circumstances ever.


March 24, 2020 Rachael got tested for COVID. Whilst the results were negative, she displayed all symptoms of breathlessness, and being on a ventilator, fever, loss of taste etc. Surgery on her tumours was put on hold until the peak of COVID was to pass.

April 26, 2020 Rachael received a positive COVID test while in for her pre op, meaning her emergency surgery was pushed back once again.  Thankfully, May 7, 2020 surgery was complete and her recovery from it underway.

During the summer Rachael continued with her chemotherapy and remained relatively stable, although her latest scan results showed further progression of the tumours on her liver.

Sept 14, 2020 Rachael's latest scan results showed a shadow on her rib which would need radiotherapy, which she successfully underwent.

February, 2021 it was around this time that Rachael's oncologist informed her again that the treatment wasn’t working. Previously, there had been clear medical protocol to follow but at this point Rachael was required to decide the treatment route she went down.  Next came the decision that no one ever wants to choose from, the balance between prolonging her life vs having a decent life quality. Her oncologist advised that in terms of time she has left it was more likely going to be a case of months rather than years.

Rachael is continuously in and out of hospital with repeat and new pain, relating to obstructions caused by the complicated issues with her tumours, that need to be managed in hospital. Unfortunately, these obstructions have meant chemo hasn’t really been an option as she’s unable to eat any solid foods, leaving her weak, away from home, time away from the boys, her husband Tim having to take on the role of teacher, whilst home schooling, Dad, chef, dog walker etc. all under the UKs strict lockdown during a global pandemic!


March 6, 2021 Rachael turned 40! Thankfully she was able to celebrate at home with Tim and her boys and felt truly special and loved by all her family and friends. The celebration was lovely but hard to see her enjoy such a milestone while not being able to fully eat or drink the way we know she'd have loved to. 

April 14, 2021 Rachael has been in hospital for 6 days so far due to further obstructions causing her to be extremely weak and in a lot of pain. We hope for her to return home or perhaps a hospice to help with the pain management she needs.

Our Fundraising Goal - How You Can Help

There has been so much outpour to help Rachael and her family during this difficult time, with that I decided to setup a Go Fund Me account so they could spend the money on what they really need. Unfortunately, time and COVID restrictions will not allow for a list of items or trips they'd like to enjoy together. Instead, this money will be used to allow them to spend time together as a family. It will mean a cleaner can come regularly to assist with the day-to-day chores, Tim can take the time he and Rachael wish to be together, and to generally take the money day-to-day stresses out of their lives.

We hope to have a sufficient pot of funds in place soon, so that the family can enjoy this precious time together. The support will mean an awful lot to me, Rachael, Tim, Archie and Josh, along with the rest of the family. Whilst not something any of wish to think about, the money will also help to provide for her two boys Archie (8) and Joshua (5) when Rachael's embrace is no longer able to be felt. 


People always ask Tim, me and our parents what they can do to help, it's hard to know exactly what without being there at the drop of a hat for hospital trips, like Tim's parents continue to be. I know there are only so many ready meals they can fit in their freezer, although highly appreciated. With these funds I hope to raise, they'll be able to use them as they see fit as a family, a family that need to spend as much time together as possible. 

Thank you for taking the time to read Rachael's story, to learn more about why this ask is out there, and for supporting us in anyway possible. Your donation will be appreciated more than you know!

With love and gratitude on behalf of myself and my family,
Thank you, Helen