“We, together with the rest of our family, are all dedicated to keeping Wendy’s memory alive”
The current trustees of the charity are Wendy’s parents, Bill and Jill and Dave Reed. We, together with the rest of our family, are all dedicated to keeping Wendy’s memory alive, at the same time as doing something very positive to help others who might find themselves in a similar situation to Wendy and ourselves.
“The liver treatment took place at Southampton General Hospital and gave Wendy a treatment-free year in 2015.”
It was in November 2011 that Wendy was first diagnosed with Ocular Melanoma, when a small tumour was found attached inside the back of her left eyeball. She was referred to the eye unit of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital where the first treatment, plaque radiotherapy, seemed effective in destroying the tumour, only for it to reappear 14 months later. A different type of radiotherapy failed, so Wendy’s eye was removed in October 2013. By this time a biopsy had revealed that Wendy’s tumour had the ability to spread and, sadly, this happened in February 2014, when several tumours were found in Wendy’s liver. The liver treatment took place at Southampton General Hospital and gave Wendy a treatment-free year in 2015.
Our family enjoying time in the Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, in May 2016, just 9 weeks after Wendy’s spinal surgery.
“through her positive attitude and strength of character, she was able to enjoy Christmas”
Unfortunately, 2016 was the year that the cancer advanced further, spreading to Wendy’s lungs and spine, then to various other parts of her body. Two forms of immunotherapy proved ineffective and, in November 2016, Wendy was told that no more treatment was available and that she was unlikely to be alive at Christmas. Wendy had no intention of giving in easily and, through her positive attitude and strength of character, she was able to enjoy Christmas as well as seeing in the New Year.
“If we can save just one family from going through the same as us, it will all be worthwhile. ”
Throughout the whole of her illness, Wendy was such an inspiration to us all, as well as to many people. We all felt compelled to carry on with her positive attitude and do something to help others who are facing the difficult journey alongside cancer. Most especially we would like to further the research into all forms of eye cancer. If we can save just one family from going through the same as us, it will all be worthwhile. Wendy was aware that we would be setting up this charity and she wholeheartedly approved, hence the name “Wendy’s Wish”.
All types of eye cancer are rare and there can often be a poor prognosis. It attracts modest amounts of funding for research, which is another reason that we are keen to continue raising money. If you would like more information about eye cancer, here is a site you can visit including:
