Page 3 - Beechwood News October 2018

Joanne’s Story
Joanne, Dean, family & friends
Joanne Linder & the Beechwood Donor Tree
Joanne was supported by Beechwood when her Mum, Susan received a diagnosis of secondary breast cancer. All was progressing well for Susan and she was responding to treatment when, in April of 2017, the family were told that Susan had developed tumours in her brain. Sadly, Susan lost her battle with cancer on 31 July last year, the day before Joanne’s birthday.
At first, Joanne was reluctant to approach Beechwood for further support but returned to Beechwood for a 12 week programme
in September 2017. It was at this time that she met Dean. Dean had lost his 22 month old son on the very same date as Joanne had lost her Mum. They immediately struck up a bond. Dean very much wanted to raise money for the Ronald MacDonald charity as they had been of great help to him during his son’s illness. Needing a focus and wanting to help, Joanne threw herself into helping Dean with his fundraising and, within a matter of months, they had raised £5,000, which was enough to get a plaque in Dean’s son’s name on the door of Ronald Macdonald House.
They say that no favour goes unreturned and that is certainly the case for Dean and Joanne.
Wanting Joanne to be able to honour and remember her mum in a similar way, Dean got in touch with Beechwood to arrange for a leaf in Susan’s name to be placed on the Beechwood Butterfly Donor Tree in time for Joanne’s birthday - all in secret! On 1 August, Dean lead Joanne, accompanied by family and friends, through Beechwood and out into the garden where he showed her the leaf. There was not a dry eye in the house ... or even the garden.
“I can’t thank Beechwood enough for the support they have given me throughout everything, I have made some friends for life thanks to the group sessions”
Beechwood News • October 2018 • www.beechwoodcancercare.co.uk 3