Real stories of special moments, family memories and the difference Dragonfly makes.
A special break away can mean so much to a family going through an incredibly difficult time. For one Dragonfly family, their trip to Center Parcs provided the chance to step away from everything for a while and simply enjoy being together.
“Thanks so much for arranging our trip to Centre Parcs. We had a wonderful time. Vivi loved it so much. A perfect distraction and a wonderful way to make memories.”
From wildlife visits and thunderstorms to creating a very special keepsake, this family made memories that they will treasure.
I was able to cast my hands, which is usually a child activity but once I explained why I wanted to do them, they adapted it for me and ended up gifting it to me. Amazing experience, I’m so grateful”
Dragonfly Cancer Trust helped Erinne and her family enjoy a special break away together, giving them the opportunity to step away from everyday challenges and simply enjoy precious family time.
Erinne had lots of fun during their break and particularly loved going swimming every day and riding her bike everywhere!
Her family told us:
“Thank you once again to all of you at Dragonfly Cancer Trust for giving us a special break away. It was fantastic for us to get away as a family and make some special memories together. Erinne had lots of fun and loved going swimming everyday and riding her bike everywhere!”
A chance to escape the appointments, treatment and uncertainty, and simply make memories together.
When Liam, aged 21, was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour, his family’s world was turned upside down. In amongst the operation, appointments, diagnosis and treatment, there was very little opportunity to simply be together as a family.
Through Dragonfly Cancer Trust, Liam was given the opportunity to enjoy a special break at Center Parcs with his dad and four brothers.
For Liam and his family, the trip provided something they desperately needed — time away from everything else to relax, spend time together and create unforgettable memories.
Liam’s mum, Maria, told us how much those memories meant to her:
“They made some unforgettable memories and I got some wonderful pictures and to see the relaxed smile on Liam’s face in those pictures is something I can carry round with me forever.”
While Liam and his brothers enjoyed their break, Maria was able to take some time for herself too, knowing that they were together and enjoying a much-needed escape.
“For Dragonfly Cancer Trust to enable the boys to have that time together is so very special.”
For Liam and his family, Dragonfly created the opportunity to step away from the difficult reality they were facing and simply enjoy being together. Those moments became memories that Maria says she will carry with her forever.
This is why Every Moment Matters.
After losing her brother Cameron to leukaemia, his sister discovered Dragonfly Cancer Trust during his final days. Dragonfly was able to give their family a lasting memory of Cameron, something they could carry with them wherever they go.
“In late 2018, Cameron (Cam) my little brother was diagnosed with leukaemia. It was completely shocking and scary. For many months Cameron endured several rounds of chemotherapy. Until finally in February 2019, we were told Cam was cancer free. We were able to breathe again *cautiously*.
Cam went back to being a typical 18 year old. Little did we know that in the two years following, Cam would go on to face two more relapses of his leukaemia. His most recent stay in hospital happened during lockdown. Cam went into hospital with the hope of treating his relapse post stem cell transplant. Due to restrictions only I could stay with Cam.
For seven weeks me and Cam stayed in one room, and could only see our mum from the window when she came to drop off snacks and laundry. It was extremely difficult for all of us. Cameron’s health began to deteriorate as he developed serious complications. The doctors had run out of options to treatment Cameron. It was truly heartbreaking… Cameron was moved to our local hospital so he could be comfortable in familiar surroundings. It was in these precious last few days of Cameron’s life we learnt about Dragonfly Cancer Trust.
Josh and his family enjoyed a holiday at Center Parcs where they were able to escape from everything and spend quality time together. During lockdown, we were also able to provide some lovely things to help keep him entertained at home.
“My beautiful little boy was diagnosed with terminal cancer over a year and a half ago… he passed away early last month.
Things are very tough as a single mum and I was just trying to make Josh’s life as fulfilled and happy as I could.
Dragonfly Cancer Trust helped us so much, we did so many lovely things and had an amazing holiday with Josh. I just want to say thank you so much. xx”
Kerry (Josh’s mum)
Chelsea loves rugby and has always watched the 6 Nations on TV with her mum since she was little. Thanks to our wonderful contacts, we had plans in place for Chelsea to meet the England Rugby team. But due to matches being postponed and training days being changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, unfortunately this was unable to go ahead. To make up for it, we were able to arrange last minute tickets for Chelsea and her mum to attend the England v Wales game at Twickenham, as well as some other (secret) surprises.
We were over the moon Chelsea was well enough to attend the game, especially as the other fixtures were postponed and the UK put on lockdown the following week.
“OMG!!
I can’t say how thankful I am. You truly did work your magic by getting me the best seats possible, (front row!) as well as spending money. Thank you so much, this has all been a dream and more.
The work you guys do is amazing and without people like you, people like me wouldn’t be able to receive their wishes.
Thank you.
Chelsea x”
Kira used her Cash Gift to hold some very special 16th birthday celebrations, one out at a restaurant with all of her family and the other at home with her friends. Thank you to Kira and her mum for sharing such beautiful photographs and memories with you all…
“Massive thanks for your generous gift to help us create special memories for Kira’s 16th birthday.
These photos are of the amazing family meal we had to celebrate… It was lovely to have food cooked for us all whilst not having the pressure of hosting the event in our house… Family time is very special to us.
Having lived with Neuroblastoma for five years, Kira has missed so much time spent with family and friends – that is why the creation of both these celebratory evenings was so important to Kira. Thank you for helping us to make them happen x
These are from the additional teenage party Kira had to celebrate her 16th with her friends.
It was a happy evening filled with lots of fun, laughter and again more precious memories created.
Thank you for gifting us the financial means to make all of this happen and to give Kira a huge smile from ear to ear.
Thank you Dragonfly Cancer Trust -your gift means so much.
Very Best Wishes,
Aud Ronnie Kyle & Kira 
”
When cancer put Alex’s plans for a trip to Canada on hold, a Cash Gift from Dragonfly helped make a new adventure possible, giving him the chance to escape reality, explore Dublin and create unforgettable memories with his friend.
Hello,
I would just like to show my appreciation sincerely for this wonderful organisation which helped towards a dreamy vision become reality. Hopefully sharing my little story can be used positively and show the vitality of this whole process.
So from September 2018 I had a relapse and my lovely cancer came back, which was ideal timing as a week before this I went to Leeds with my Dad to get my passport at the ripe age of 23.
My main motivation was to fly to Canada to visit a friend and her family and had even the funds saved aside waiting upon this ‘Disney’ moment to become accessible. Also within it being short of 2 years since I originally left my hospitals it felt like an monumental stride in a positive direction and things for me were being put it place.
From me being such a ‘David Brent’ admirer the thought of being bed bound to Canadian bound was over thrilling. Of course the banter of life wouldn’t allow that and the week after receiving my passport through the post my cancer came back and it was left collecting dust on my bedroom shelf for months.
Everything, as you can imagine, was a tad hectic and being able to use my passport was naturally on the back burner… Until recently!
I had a visitation from one of my support workers Harriet Wainwright ( MASSIVE BIG UP ) who’s always been very supportive and caring. She mentioned Dragonfly Cancer Trust and the whole concept of how you could have a trip anywhere. At first this troubled my bubble wrapped mind and straight away I dismissed it as even the simple pleasure of laying on the settee can make the tumours in my spine come out to play and cause discomfort.
Fortunately my Mamma raised a stubborn boy and the whole concept was too over whelming to miss.
I changed my mind in a rebellious nature as my mind seems to be quite spontaneous and I had just finished the series Vikings so it encouraged me.
Me and a old pal of mine (Göktürk) always mentioned the idea of a trip in Dublin so it all really fell in to place.
A Cash Gift from Dragonfly Cancer Trust made our dream become evident and just a week later we were on a last minute flight to Dublin!
We boarded the plane and I smacked my forehead straight away on the luggage storage above my head. – HA take that brain tumours.
I could smell the purity of the Guinness and had to personally connoisseur the matter.
We flew in late on the Sunday so we were in our hotel by 1am Monday to enjoy the few days until we flew back on the Thursday.
This is me in front of the most iconic pub in Dublin, which is situated in a busy riverside neighbourhood called the temple bar.
As my mother was a massive fan of the Eurovision song contest, not just in her memory, but every year I love to watch it and get really excited for the months leading up to it.
Last year Ireland’s entry was my favourite and the video of the song started from outside the temple bar.
(You can see the music video here)
Singing this to the locals may not have seemed appropriate as I learnt the Irish don’t watch this competition either.
We also tried traditional Irish stew – I found talking to the local lovely people from Dublin was the ideal way to find out where these prolific places were located.
The whole experience was enlightening at a time where I just feel ‘logged out’ mentally…
To me this trip whole trip was a simply phenomenal and a key glorious way to dismiss reality… and the fact Ireland should have really won the Eurovision song contest last year!
I would strongly recommend anyone to support Dragonfly Cancer Trust and I really hope this charity will carry on growing. I know it was vital for me and this was why I wanted to personally thank this organisation by giving a little feedback that will hopefully support what this charity represents.
My friend, Gokturk, would also like to add “Thank you you to the members of Dragonfly Cancer Trust for bringing joy and happiness to many people’s lives including ours”.
Anyway, the main thing was just to show my appreciation and how much of a difference you guys can make!
On a serious note, I would love to show this charity as much support as possible , it gives me great satisfaction that there’s people like you guys in a world of humans that make alcohol a vital necessary procedure to find them vaguely interesting.
Alex
