... the people mentioned on my Pink Ribbon Walk back message had lives, personalities and families...

Jean (my aunt)

Born in the south of England the 1920s, her mother died in child-birth just two years later.  With her half-siblings, father and step-mother, she moved to Glasgow at the start of WWII.  Trained as a nurse, she met and married a Polish sailor and emigrated to Australia where she raised five children and became a national leader for the Girl Guides.  Developed breast cancer in her70s/80s and declined treatment; died of secondaries.

Claire (2012)

Someone I 'met' online, single parent to two teenage children, a former professional gardener who taught me (and others) about the green heart of the snowdrop, loved turquoise and spent her final months wheelchair racing at Beaconscot model village, sharing reminiscences of the Stoke Goldington steam rally, eating out, and preparing her family for life without her.  A lapsed 'brethen' Christian we chatted about her faith and funeral plans.  She died peacefully, with no 'unfinished business'.

Karen (2012)

Another online friend, Karen created a magical virtual world known as the Dark, Dark Woods.  Here 'newts' (neutrophils) could be fished for, there was a bar called the Jingling Merkin, a lagoon, and endless supply of whatever food and drink you wanted (all calorie free).  Initially her treatment went well but sadly, and all too rapidly, her secondaries progressed and the founder of the woods reached the end of her journey – no doubt in her trademark high heels and with new adventures still to be had.

Aly (2012)

I didn't get to know Aly as well as some other online friends.  She was a mother, a janitor who longed to get back to work, a feisty, funny and slightly gobby (her word) woman whose journey was all too short.  She and Karen left this world within days of each other, and I like to think of them playing in beautiful wood somewhere.

Laura (2013)

The baby of the my local group, at just 27 Laura should never have had to face all she did.  Always smiling, always positive, this young career girl had a real zest for life.  Laura was a researcher for the local health board and I am sure could have breezed her way through a doctorate.  She loved parties and fun and dreamed of a trip to New York for her thirtieth birthday.  Even before her treatment for primary cancer was complete, Laura had secondary cancer in her brain which did not respond to treatment.  Just days after thanking the medical team for all they'd done for her, she slipped quietly away – leaving a huge hole in the hearts of all who knew her.

Caroline (2013)

Another younger, local woman, with a real zest for life, Caroline was co-owner of a family nursery (garden) business, loved dogs and had just treated herself to her dream car when secondary cancer affecting her brain meant she could no longer drive.  Knowing time was short, she devoted herself to raising money for cancer research, even having her head shaved along the way.

Lil (2014)

Lil was one of my chemo buddies (they're actually a year behind me, so I'm kind of 'big sis') who lived with her husband on Mozambique and whose adventures with crocodiles, floods and other extremes would make your hair curl – unless of course you were having chemo and had no hair to curl.  Full of funny stories and a great encourager, she was the last of the gang to complete her chemo, and sadly the first to develop secondaries.  She and her husband moved to the States and opened a coffee shop, hoping they would have some years together – it wasn't to be and just two months ago our Lucky Lil left us.

Lynsey (2014)

Another Glasgow girl, Lynsey was an infrequent poster in our Facebook group, devoting her time and energy to her family.  She loved a good party, and indeed insisted one was held in her honour after her funeral! 

Kate (2014)

A Yorkshire lass through and through, Kate was a funny, feisty, outspoken, witty, wise woman who faced whatever life sent her with tenacity and humour.  On paper her prognosis was pretty good – but paper prognoses are just that, bits of paper.  After all sorts of problems and then a secondary diagnosis she set out to fulfil her dream to feed big cats and visited New York, living every moment of every day to the max.  Valiant to the end, Kate was a strong woman with whom I shared some good online banter and who, I know, touched many people's lives

Jackie (2014)

Just a few days ago, I added Jackie to my back message.  We didn't know each other that well, indeed I think we became Facebook friends through mutual friends and interests.  Jackie loved Liverpool FC a lot and her family more.  She was a kind, supportive woman whose life, like the others in my list, was cut way too short.

Other than my aunt, none of these women lived an 'average' life time.  Indeed, only Lil was older than me, and even she was only in her fifties (sorry Lil you wouldn't want me to let that out!)… There is nothing pink, fluffy or 'better' about a cruel, unpredictable disease that killed all these young women, left partners and children grieving and dreams unfulfilled.  For these, and for others like them, I'll be walking the Pink Ribbon Walk on Saturday