Wendy’s Hope & Legacy
10% of all donations will go directly to Cancer Research
We are aiming to raise enough money in order to set up a sanctuary for people fighting cancer to visit in order to take a breath, recharge, share a moment & just be.
To get away from the daily battle against this cruel illness that does not care about gender, age, race or beliefs.
We have started a Crowdfunder (donations have already started coming in) & we shall be starting up a few online businesses with ALL profits going towards establishing the sanctuary. 10% of those profits will go directly to Cancer Research.
We are also hoping to attract investors as the overall plan would have us purchasing the appropriate land for the sanctuary but also having separate businesses running alongside, which would be income generating that would help to not only maintain the sanctuary but also make it an attractive investment opportunity.
My wife, Wendy, was diagnosed in Jan '21 with incurable stage 4 kidney cancer that had already spread to her adrenal glands, rib, pelvis, lung & spine. The cancer & the treatments have also caused other very serious health issues.
Wendy spent over 20 years working for the NHS in the operating theatres at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge (UK) & was on the frontline through the covid pandemic for the first year before the diagnosis came. She dedicated her working life to being part of a team that helped to save lives & now she is quite literally fighting for her own.
Wendy’s daughter, my stepdaughter, lost her father at the beginning of 2022 to lung cancer, only 3 months after his own cancer diagnosis. A few months later, we lost our previous dog, Myrtle May, to cancer. It would be fair to say we are thoroughly fed up with the ‘C’ word. This is why we feel so strongly about doing something to help, even if only in a small way.
We want to help people. We want to create a place for cancer fighters to come with their loved ones to be able to shut out reality, even if only for a moment. To hold hands, to take a breath, to take some time to exist in a place away from the daily stress & worries.
It will not fix the main problem of course. But it will give a bit of respite.
The chance to recharge & go again. There will be plants, flowers, trees, water, areas of quiet reflection, areas to distract the mind. It will be fully accessible & include free accommodation for a night or two. Once established the running costs would be minimal.
We simply need the help to get it going.
If you are able to donate, even if just a small amount, please do. If you are not able to then we would ask that if you use social media, please follow, like & share our story. The links to our Instagram & Facebook pages are at the bottom of the page.
With just a few clicks you will be helping us to help those fighting cancer. Simple.
The more publicity & exposure we can get can only be beneficial.
We have plans on how to grow it into a service for the community but also for people further afield. We would also, in the future, love to get others involved in setting up their own sanctuaries across the country meaning more people would be able to have access.
It has become much harder for Wendy to go on days out or even to the places where we once loved to spend time, simply because they are not set up to accommodate a cancer fighter who, for example, needs to lay down for an hour or two. It's just not practical & with exhaustion being a huge part of the battle, it's a common occurrence to simply not have enough energy to do even the simplest of things.
This will be the same for so many others & is a huge reason for the idea of a sanctuary for people to take their time, no rushing or having to worry about closing times or missing a scheduled time etc. The sanctuary will be designed to fit the needs of the individual.
Cancer does not respect appointment times, schedules or timetables.
A secondary part of 'Wendy’s Hope' is to train our new canine companion, Ralph (pictured with Wendy above), as a therapy dog to visit patients in hospitals, hospices etc. when he is old enough & if he is suitable - he is far too lively & excitable at present!
Research has shown that being around dogs can lower the stress hormone cortisol, while the social interaction between people & dogs actually increases levels of the feel-good hormone oxytocin. They would, of course, play a big role in the sanctuary for those happy to interact with them.
There are other ideas & plans for the future of the sanctuary, but this is the starting point. This is Wendy’s hope & she also wants this to be her legacy, which I will continue in her name when we eventually part ways.
We don’t know how long she has & it would be simply amazing if we can get the sanctuary up & running whilst Wendy is still here. She is an incredible lady. In the midst of her own fight, she truly wants to help others. It is an honour & a privilege to take care of this woman but also an honour & privilege to call her my wife.
If you can, please help us make 'Wendy’s Hope' a reality.
Thank you for taking the time to read.
www.wendyshope.com
