Rachel Smith

Since Rachel’s diagnosis, many friends and family have raised money in Rachel’s name, as a means of demonstrating their support for Rachel and our family. £180,000 is the approximate Team Rachel total so far – THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH, whether you organised, participated, supported or sponsored any of the below events, we are so grateful. See below for the Roll of Honour! ie list of who has raised money, and for which charities:

Leukaemia Research
Nick Shirley Xtreme Terrain Triathlon £8006
Sinead Furber Family Bike Ride, Norfolk £1,200
Harriet Phillips/Bigwigs House sale (jewellery etc) £566
Rachel’s Ballet school Donations/proceeds from show £1,000
Debbie and Carl Christon House sale £525
Richard Boothroyd Ride for Rachel £2,715
Hector Dickson & friends Ride for Rachel (Scotland) £3,000
Gaddesby School Donations, Harvest Assembly £227
Angela, Jenny and Charles -Donations in memory of GG/Win £980
Mike & Kate Foster-Smith plus friends, Twyning Open Gardens £5,700
art show £300
Rachel's Great Banana Ball/Rushton Hall £54,700

When You Wish Upon A Star
Jason Whowell Half Marathon £600
Joe Cannon (Mum Kate) Donations instead of gifts
for his 6th birthday party £290
Sophie and Olivia joint birthday party
donations instead of gifts £600


Anthony Nolan Trust
Barney Leaf Half Marathon £515

CLIC
Brian Piper/Golden Fleece Sponsored Christmas Carols £450

Ward 27 LRI
Geoff Smith (‘Poppa’) Charity Golf Day £6,500

McMillan Cancer Support
Martin Smith/et al Ride for Rachel £89,900

Wishes4Kids
Martin Smith/et al Ride for Rachel £1,000

Children With Leukaemia
Gaddesby School Children’s Marathon Challenge £1757



Rachel was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia on February 11th, 2005, 6 days before her 4th birthday. It still seems inconceivable that our gorgeous, bouncy, happy little angel could have such a disease.
We have been so overwhelmed by everyone's support since Rachel's diagnosis, that we just had to get a website together to thank you all for your support and of course the presents you have all sent to our gorgeous girls!!! So, a heartfelt thank-you from Paul and I to everyone who has sent us a letter, card and entry in the guest book. It is wonderful to have such support from our friends, far and wide: it has been very difficult to find the energy to discuss details with family and friends, we have been in shock and grieving for our healthy child. So please accept our apologies if we haven't returned your call or letter, it isn't that we don't want to, rather that it continues to be so emotionally exhausting to re-live the ongoing events. Most of our energies are spent trying to maintain as much normality in Rachel and Isla's lives as possible - not trying to ignore or deny Rachel's condition, but trying to keep our little family together. .

Journal

Friday, September 5, 2008 11:59 AM CDT

Apologies for not updating a bit sooner but things have been manic here. We have a new au pair, Helene, who is gorgeous but very homesick and anxious because her English is worse than my French. Which is not great. So, we'll see how she gets on - the girls like her, but the main thing is that she is quite happy to walk the nutty dog if I can't manage!

We had a great holiday, everyone couldn't believe how well Rachel looked, especially given that it is 2 years since some of our group had seen her. You can imagine the difference, her weight, her wig ....different child.

Anyway we saw the neurosurgeon today, we are still awaiting an appointment for the neurological assessment. No big deal, she did well in her sats ( achieved a level 3 despite these ongoing issues) so I'm not worried, I just want it pinned down and put to bed. We did have a big blip on holiday when a massive bruise appeared on Rachel's thigh. It is still there, still blue but faded, 10 days on. I am not panicky enough to take her in for a blood test now, but I will get a blood test done at next clinic. Paul and I had a few sleepless nights on holiday over that one.

Will get some photos updated over the weekend.

Read Journal History

Hospital Information:

Leicester Royal Infirmary

Links:

---

 

Your gift will help millions of people stay connected with friends and loved ones during challenging times.

---

 

This page has been viewed 42818 times.

Note: The foregoing information was authored by the patient, parent or guardian, or other parties who are solely responsible for the content. Such announcements or their content are not necessarily endorsed by CaringBridge, Inc. or any sponsoring agent.  This information does not confirm that anyone is or was actually a patient at any facility.