17/08/2026
💭 “On a sunny April afternoon, we arrived in Ward 10 in Jimmy’s. Nothing can prepare you for walking into a children’s cancer ward for the first time.” - Liz
In 2003, Liz’s daughter, Katherine, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Over 20 years later, Liz now volunteers at Candlelighters, wearing many hats and giving her time to support the fundraising team. Liz shares their story…
“Easter 2003 found our family in hospital with our two-year-old daughter, Katherine, being treated for an infection. This was yet another unusual illness in a series over the previous few weeks.
Test after test was coming back with no conclusion until one morning we were taken into a room where the consultant told us Katherine had leukaemia.
Wham! In the space of a few days, we went from being a family of four, living life to the full, taking for granted our good fortune and health, to one that was to face the next six months with our family fractured.
The medical care for Katherine from nurses, doctors, nutritionists, and other hospital staff was outstanding. But Candlelighters helped us as a family to survive this daunting period mentally.
They provided us with the emotional and other support which helped to make our stay in Jimmy’s (St James’ Hospital) more bearable: a playroom full of toys and playworkers to co-ordinate activities, Jolly and her Trolley, sibling events and short holidays which gave us a chance to be a normal family for those brief periods between treatments. ⛱️
After Katherine started to recover, we started to raise money for Candlelighters as a thank you. Over the years we organised fairs, raffles and donations, but mainly raised money through running. Katherine’s dad, Paul, has run the Great North Run over 20 times and the London Marathon once. Back in 2004, Paul was only one of two people running the Great North Run for Candlelighters - how things have changed!
Over the years we’ve raised over £23,000 for Candlelighters. After 6 months of intense treatment, Katherine’s AML went into remission and has not returned. She is now a senior research scientist developing cancer medicines for a large pharmaceutical company.
As a family, we will always be indebted to Candlelighters. We are honoured to have been part of its 50-year history and to have made a contribution to funds for vital research and improved support to children, young people and families who are affected by childhood cancer.”
Thank you so much to Liz for sharing her family’s story. We’re incredibly proud to have been able to stand side-by-side with families when they needed us over the last 50 years, and it’s all possible because of your support. 💚
