Sarah’s story – our free Will offer

When Sarah’s daughter Megan was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma at 17 years old, we stepped in. The family were supported by one of our specialist social workers and stayed at our London Home from Home, Paul’s House. Now over ten years later, Megan is in remission and doing well.

Sarah shares the story of the toughest times of their lives and why she felt it was important to support us with a gift in her Will using our Free Wills offer.

Megan’s diagnosis

“Being told that my 17 year old daughter had cancer was a devastating shock. Megan was diagnosed in February 2016 and started treatment a few weeks later on 1st March. Until that moment, I was wholly convinced she had glandular fever. From then on it was a complete whirlwind.

“Through meeting other parents of children with cancer, we found out about CLIC Sargent (now Young Lives vs Cancer). They matched us with Anne a specialist social worker. I frankly don’t quite know how we would have coped without her.”

Paul’s House

“As well as arranging financial help to deal with the mounting travel costs of getting to London, Anne made it possible for us to stay in Paul’s House, the charity’s home just across the road from where Megan had treatment. It truly was a saving grace. By the time Megan was diagnosed, she was at stage 4 which meant she had to endure six rounds of chemotherapy. Three of these were aggressive which meant she had to have treatment 5 days in a row.

“Megan would never have been able to cope with the journey to and from London, so having our ‘safe haven’ (a true home from home) across the road was invaluable. It gave Megan somewhere close and safe to rest. It also gave us a chance to meet other parents going through the same experience so we could lean on each other for support. I have a lasting friendship with another mum I met during our time there.

“The house manager Eric did so much to make everyone feel welcome and at home. The smell of home baking often wafted through the house.”

Remission and beyond

“After Megan’s treatment, we were given the fantastic news she was in remission.

“She continues to be well to this day. She left her office job, took herself to university, studied and now the sky’s the limit. She’s living her dream, travelling the world, working with music bands. To say I’m proud is an understatement!

“Megan’s journey has been inspiring. We thank our lucky stars she is still with us. I know this is not the case for many other young people.”

Giving back 

“This experience means that Young Lives vs Cancer is a cause very close to my heart. The support we received from Anne, our social worker was invaluable at a time I could not get my head round dealing with anything. We are still so very grateful you were there for us at such a dreadful, unimaginable time.

“Since then, I have done small things to ‘give back’. I helped another mum with bucket collections in Morrison’s. I shop in the online shop and also have a wonderful collection of the Christmas pin badges!

“Now, ten years since Megan’s diagnosis I have written my Will. It had been on my mind that I hadn’t written a Will so made it my priority last year. I saw something about Wills on Martin Lewis’ money advice TV programme so decided to register on the National Free Wills Network via Young Lives vs Cancer’s website.

“I was helped through the process by my chosen solicitor. After the support we received while Megan was ill there was no better charity I could think of to choose to leave a gift to.

“Knowing any little help I can give will help ease the burdens of another family going through the same as we did means the world to me.”

We’re incredibly grateful to Sarah and Megan for sharing their story and helping to support other families like theirs who will face a cancer diagnosis in the future.

If you would like to find out more about how to leave a gift in your Will or write your Will for free, please follow the links.