Help us provide comforting care this Christmas
This will be Emma’s third Christmas without her little sister, Laura.
Will you please take a few minutes to read Laura’s story? It is our hope that in doing so, you’ll see the profound impact your kindness can have for a family dealing with cancer.
Because it’s the generosity of people like you that supported Laura through the months and months of tough cancer treatments and exhausting hospital visits. It’s thanks to people like you that we could help Emma and her family navigate a heartbreaking path they never thought they would be on.
This story begins during Christmas 2020; Laura was home from her job in London when her mum noticed a mole on her ear and advised her to get in checked.
In January 2021, Laura was diagnosed with melanoma. Following surgery, it was through she needed no further treatment, apart from regular check-ups.
However, three years later, Laura was home in Northern Ireland for Emma’s birthday when she became seriously ill and ended up having a brain scan.
The family was given the devastating news that Laura had a brain tumour, a metastatic spread from the melanoma. From there, everything moved quickly. Eventually, the side effects of treatment got so bad, Laura couldn’t even sleep. These are the moments where your kindness shines.
At Charis, your support provided Laura with the comfort her exhausted body and mind needed. Like reflexology which gently eased her into sleep. These may seem like small things but to Laura they made the world of difference.
Laura went through months of gruelling treatment, with her devoted family by her side. Whether it was a massage, yoga or counselling, your generosity gave Laura a smoothing break from cancer treatment; while providing her family with the support they needed to simply be a family.
Cancer takes so much from people, but during the darkest days, Laura felt the power of your kindness at Charis.
Laura passed away two months before Christmas 2024, at the age of 31.
As we come together with our loved ones, a family somewhere in Northern Ireland has just received a devastating cancer diagnosis. Another family knows that this year, a loved one’s chair will sit empty at the dinner table.
Emma says that for her, the true message of Christmas is giving where it’s needed most.
Thank you for supporting families like Emma and Laura to find comfort at Charis this Christmas.