Nikki’s sister Elaine was a patient at The Royal Marsden from 2017. Sadly, she died in 2023, at the age of 49. Since then, Nikki and her family have been naming a star for Elaine as a way to honour her memory and thank the hospital for everything they did for Elaine.
Watch our Celebrate a Life video featuring Nikki and her family talking about their stars:
Elaine’s treatment at The Royal Marsden
Elaine was a patient at The Royal Marsden twice; she was treated for breast cancer in 2017 followed by a multiple myeloma diagnosis in 2020. She underwent chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant and treatment through a number of clinical trials, under the care of Dr Kevin Boyd, spending lots of time on Bud Flanagan ward in Sutton.
“I have so many memories of my sister being at the hospital in Sutton, doing Celebrate a Life makes me feel close to her. It’s so important for us – to celebrate my sister but also to thank The Royal Marsden – the teams there were all so nice, they made everything as comfortable as it could possibly be for Elaine. They really did everything they could for her.”
"Knowing that her star is on the tree throughout the festive period brings me great comfort."
Why Nikki names stars for Celebrate a Life
Nikki also goes to the Celebrate a Life carol services with her two daughters and one of her other sisters, Tracey.
“I think it was really important that I was there with my two daughters, it’s a family friendly event. It was such a lovely service, and I think my eldest daughter, Evie, especially loved all the carols and music.
"My youngest daughter, Rosie, loved the big tree and seeing all the stars and sparkling lights. Celebrate a Life brought us all a lot of comfort, it’s such a warm and festive evening.
"We had two stars on the tree and we managed to find both of them at the service! One for my sister and one for my dad, who passed away six months before my sister. Losing them both in a six-month period was so tough. My dad also had cancer and was a patient, very briefly, at The Royal Marsden. He had two weeks of radiotherapy, for lung cancer, in Sutton.
"It really bothered me around Christmas time that I wasn’t able to give them (my sister and my dad) a gift. Christmas meant a lot to us, and when I saw their stars up on the beautiful Christmas tree, I realised that this was their gift, honouring them and their memories, I couldn’t have thought of a more fitting present."
Will you name a star for someone special?
Behind every star is a story, and Celebrate a Life is a unique way to celebrate those most special to you. Name a star this year and make a vital difference to the lives of cancer patients and their families.