54-year-old Rebecca was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and has been treated at The Royal Marsden ever since.
She names a star in memory of her mum, Rachel, who died from cancer at just 45. As a breast cancer patient, Rebecca’s re-lived a lot of what she experienced with her Mum’s cancer journey, and she is very grateful to The Royal Marsden for giving her so much support.
Rebecca’s breast cancer diagnosis
After first noticing a lump developing in her breast around two years ago, Rebecca decided to speak to her GP, who referred her to The Royal Marsden.
“My GP was amazing,” says Rebecca, “She saw me immediately to get things checked out. She told me she wanted to book an appointment asap for me to go to The Royal Marsden for further investigations.
“I had further tests at The Royal Marsden and it was then that I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I felt scared and uncertain at being told this news.
“I had surgery and radiotherapy, but unfortunately, tests revealed that the cancer was more aggressive than originally thought and that it was starting to spread. I was told that I’d need a considerable amount of long-term treatment to deal with this, including chemotherapy.”
Vital support from the Charity-funded psychological support service
“At The Royal Marsden, they don’t just treat the disease, they know and recognise how frightened people can get after a cancer diagnosis and they support you through this part of your journey too.
“I was very upset to find out that I would need to have chemotherapy treatment, I almost didn’t go through with it. My experience of The Royal Marsden is that they are an exceptional hospital as they are very patient led. I wasn’t the first person to come along who was almost too scared to undergo treatment – they knew exactly what to do to support me.
"I saw a counsellor who helped me the whole way through my treatment. She was very patient and understanding. I was extremely ill whilst having chemotherapy and almost gave up, but her support was invaluable."
“I can’t praise the hospital enough for everything they’ve done for me”
“In the end, my treatment has comprised of two lots of surgery, chemotherapy and 15 sessions of radiotherapy. Quite a lot!
“I can’t get over how well supported people are at The Royal Marsden. When I think about how my Mum was treated all those years ago and the services she had access to – there just isn’t even any comparison.
"The treatment I have is done in the new Olayan Day Care Unit in the Oak Cancer Centre and it’s such a nice environment. The Oak Cancer Centre is such a wonderful addition to the main hospital. It’s incredible how much money the Charity raised for this building!"
Taking part in Celebrate a Life in memory of my mum
“I take part in Celebrate a Life to dedicate a star for my Mum, Rachel, who passed away from cancer at the age of just 45.
“Christmas has always been an important time of year in my family, we’d a have a big family Christmas, and my Mum was at the heart of this. Celebrate a Life is a great way to remember my Mum at a such special time of year.
“Celebrate a Life is a lovely community event – bringing together so many people who are part of The Royal Marsden family. There are lots of people who have lost loved ones to cancer and been affected by it, putting a star on the Christmas tree for those we have lost feels very touching.
“There is something about seeing all those names on the tree that feels especially poignant. Not all the stars are named in memory of someone. I know that some stars are dedicated to hospital staff or other people who patients want to thank. Each person who is named on a star has done something amazing – to be remembered in this way – so it’s great to see all the other names.”
We invite you to 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.