Resources
A Summer Of PR!
This summer has involved a lot of media attention on Richard's new book 'As A Kite Falls' which has highlighted The Willow Tree Foundation and helped to raise awareness of blood cancer. Richard has bared his soul and shared many insights of his journey in multiple...
As A Kite Falls Book Release
IT's BOOK LAUNCH DAY! Since being diagnosed, this book has been emerging and was written to help Richard therapeutically process the journey... but today it's published so that it can help others who are also experiencing descent and dark times, so they can find hope...
Spring Financial Grants Awarded!
We are so grateful for Kingston Charitable Foundations participatory grant panel to award our recent financial grants to individuals & families living with blood cancer - it's wonderful to see the difference these grants make to people's lives. Thank you to...
Spring Celebrations!
Happy Spring! We have a lot to celebrate in this update... tune in to listen to the birds in our new home & to see Richard reveal the cover of his new book! You can pre order a copy here:...
Repurposed Drugs & Metabolic Interventions For Cancer
We are champions of the integrative approach to treating cancer, as Richard uses both orthodox and alternative methods working with his integrative consultant. She created a new protocol every 3 months uses the theory and research based on the information based in...
Happy New Year… we have some news
Happy New Year! We are WELL OVERDUE and update, so please have a watch of our video to learn why we have been so quiet... Regarding some of the things mentioned in the video please follow these links: - Mistletoe therapy - https://www.mistletoetherapy.org.uk -...
Blood Cancer Awareness Month & Grant Updates
As mentioned in the video update: You can learn more about grant funding from The Willow Tree Foundation here: http://thewillowtreefoundation.com/access-grants/ You can find out more about our Willowtones Community Choir here:...
The Link Between Weed Killer & Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
We like to do our bit to help raise awareness of carcinogenic products to our readers and members, and weed killer has been a hot topic for a while. Recently Richard was interviewed by The Daily Mail about the research on the connection between the weed killer 'Round...
Travel Insurance For People Living With Cancer
Summer time often means holidays! But travelling with cancer or whilst having treatments can be tricky and expensive adventure. We have uploaded a guide to travelling and contacts of various insurance companies who specialise in insuring people living with cancer....
Dragon Boat Fundraiser
Now Kelly isn't the sportiest of people ... So God help her that she's signed up to be part of the Kingston Dragon Boat Race to raise money for our charity The Willow Tree Foundation! Every team member needs to raise a minumum of £500, and if you want to support...
Clean Water, Happy Body!
In this hot weather, increasing your water in take is essential - but how toxic is your water? Reducing toxins suuports your healing journey with cancer and this guide contains some practical support about accessing clean water and increasing your hydration. Dowload...
Our 2023 Grants Programme is open!
The links to our grants funding and Dragon Boat Racing details follow: You can apply for grant funding from The Willow Tree Foundation here: http://thewillowtreefoundation.com/access-grants/ You can find out more about our Willowtones Community Choir here:...
What’s new in 2023?
With all of the exciting things happening in 2023 which are mentioned in the update video, you can explore further with the following links: You can apply for grant funding from The Willow Tree Foundation here: http://thewillowtreefoundation.com/access-grants/ You can...
Reading For Remission
If you are looking for inspiration, resources and hope during your cancer journey, these books will support you! Containing practical information from first-hand experiences help you navigate your own journey from people who really understand and have reached...
How To Regulate Your Body Temperature
After chemotherapy & radiation many experience feeling cold and not being able to regulate their body temperature easily. So this guide contains resources that we use to help keep cold, especially in the Winter, Dowload the guide here
One Year On From Diagnosis
One year ago today Richard received his diagnosis and as he reflects, he speaks about 'Invisible Disability' along with our exciting news about our Willowtones Choir! Enjoy the festive season everyone & thank you as always for your support x
Our Charity Auction for #BloodCancerAwarenessMonth
As you might have heard September is a BIG MONTH for us! It’s #BloodCancerAwarenessMonthIt’s Richard's 50th BirthdayWe have our Fundraising party on the 24th September (https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thewillowtreefoundation/739911)We launch our online charity...
Get Your Funk On Fundraiser!
Well as we come to the end of our final month of isolation & Richard has had his PET & CT scans and we should find out next week if the SCT was successful Whilst we’ve been stuck at home for the last 3 months, we’ve been planning how to develop the willow tree...
How To Soothe Mucositis
Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy & SCT can often lead to Mucositis which is when your mouth, throat & esophagus can become dry, ulcerated, burnt & swollen from the treatment. It can be very painful & often leads people finding it hard to eat & swallow. ...
Preparing for A Stem Cell Transplant
Richard had an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant in May at St George's Hospital in Tooting, and even though we had read lots about what to expect, he decided to document every day to give a real-life experience of his journey. In this guide we list some of the practical...
How To Mix & Inject G-CSF Solution For Stem Cell Harvesting
For those of you who are having a Autologous Stem Cell Transplant, there will be a period before your transplant where they will need to harvest your own cells before you have a high dosage of chemotherapy. Alternatively if you are having an Allo Stem Cell Transplant,...
Medical Acronym Glossary
The medical acronyms that you'll come across on your cancer journey can become very confusing. So we've put together this glossary which you can refer to it, to help you understand your medical reports or the posts on social media from fellow travellers!Download the...
Theatre, Buckingham & Fighting Cancer
My roots are in Buckinghamshire, as I grew up there. So it was great that Absolutely Buckinghamshire & Berkshire and the wonderful and hugely talented Katie Traxton brought the many strands of my life together, with kindness, truth and fun and highlighted my...
Cancer Skincare Guide
There are so many things to consider to ensure your skin stays healthy, soothed and germ free when you are doing through treatment - as the side effects can really harm your skin. We've put together this guide to raise your awareness of how to look after your skin,...
Managing Chemo Sickness Guide
Richard has really struggled with nausea this cycle of chemo & they say the more cycles you have the worse it gets! He always has a slimy taste in his mouth that puts him off most food & drink, but he's had the constant feeling of sickness this time. So we...
Squeaky Bum Day… The PET Scan results are in
Scan results days are always anxious times on a cancer journey and we haven't had one since October last year, pre-diagnosis. So today we got the results of what impact the last 8 weeks have had on the cancer & how well the obinuturzumab drug has worked. The...
World Cancer Day – What To Ask Your Oncologist When You’re Diagnosed
Today is World Cancer Day Every year, 17 million new cases of cancer throughout the world are diagnosed. Cancer will be fatal for nearly 10 million of those who receive this news. By the year 2040, it is estimated that there will be 27.5 million new cases of cancer....
Getting Blood Cancer In The Mainstream Media
Even though last week has been a challenging health week, with being taken into hospital with dehydration & low blood pressure and then needing a platelet transfusion at the weekend... it was a good week for media exposure! I got the chance to be interviewed by...
What To Pack In Your Chemotherapy Care Bag
We always recommend having a bag ready to go to hospital. This could contain contents for when you go have your chemotherapy sessions, or you might need to be ready quickly to go in for a blood transfusion like Richard had to today as his platelets dropped to 9......
You Don’t Have To Travel Alone…
Here’s a real and raw video update from me today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsU6Or7PiIU&feature=youtu.be You can watch the full Sky News interview here: https://youtu.be/Zkb-HKe5S3Y Please also come and join our Facebook Group Here:...
It’s not all sunshine & rainbows…
Just finishing up on day 3 of the 3rd cycle of 24hr chemotherapy… just to show that the journey it’s not all roses & sunshine. Switching off now for a while, as I literally have no energy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulbb4Yzy2o4
Meet The Drug That You Made Possible!
I thought I’d record a short (er!) update as I begin a new cycle of chemo today, which so many of you made possible due to this GoFundMe campaign. Watch it just to check out the new (no) hairdo! I am in talks for the next Bond villain - what do you think?! Today my...
New blood cancer gene defect can be treated with existing drugs
New blood cancer gene defect can be treated with existing drugs: A defective gene, normally found in blood cancers, could be treated with drugs already available for cancers with similar gene defects, scientists at Queen’s University Belfast and the University of...
Never Miss Your Medication Again
When you are going through treatment, taking medications becomes part of your daily routine. In Richard's case he was taking too many to fit in a pill box and at different times of the day. So the Medisafe App became a life-saver, as you add all of the medication that...
Keep Up To Date With What’s New With Cancer
If you want to listen to engaging conversations, learn about new research & therapies and here from direct experience of people with cancer, listen to this Yes To Life Podcast for some inspiration.
Looking for an Integrative Approach To Cancer?
We are approaching our journey to complete remission by following an integrative approach. This means following medical intervention and treatment from our oncologist but complementing it with various alternative practices like Radionics, Distant Healing, Homeopathy,...
Need To Boost Your Red Blood Count?
After a couple of cycles of chemotherapy Richard's Red Blood Cells started to drop. This is a side effect of chemotherapy and will make you feel tired, lacking of oxygen, anaemia etc. Some people require a blood transfusion, but Richard's hasn't got that low. To boost...
Waterproof PICC Line Cover
We were advised to wrap Richard's PICC line in clingfilm when he first had it fitted... which did work but it was very fiddly and he always needed Kelly to wrap him up like a chicken. So this nifty device from Limbo is much easier, better for the planet as it's...
The Power Of Eight
When Richard was first diagnosed we were introduced to the work of Lynne Mctaggart and this book The Power of Eight. It's a very simple but powerful technique that enables people to collectively focus on a specific intention which has evidence of it's power of...
A Big £40,000 Thank You!
Please watch this video from Richard: A HUGE thank you & what's coming next... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPuaUtwY9EE&feature=emb_imp_woyt
New Year Drama
As we bid farewell to another week and get ready to welcome in a new one, I’m reflecting on the last 7 days. There are moments of effortlessness in my week – some activities feel simple and I almost question if I have an illness. Others, are fucking brutal. I won’t...
Starting O-DHAP Chemotherapy
Today I was admitted into Parkside hospital for my first intensive 3 day treatment of the new drug O-DHAP. I don't know what to expect but at least I got to know the nurses when I was admitted just before Christmas and they have put me in the same room 201, so I feel...
Saying Goodbye To My Hair
A very significant day today ... I thought that I would be able to have some pictures over Christmas with hair, but my body had other plans. When I woke up this morning my pillow looked like I had shaved a badger. This was one of the things that I didn't want to...
PICC Line & Lumber Puncture Day!
The day I've been pooing my pants about! I had two procedures - a PICC line inserted in my veins to my heart which is where my chemo & blood tests go through as this supports my veins to not collapse with all the needles I'll be having over the next few months....
Starting R-CHOP Chemotherapy
Today was when my chemotherapy started with a form called R-CHOP. This cycle didn't contain the new drug Obinuturzumab, as they needed to treat me asap, because the cancer is aggressive & they needed to stop it spreading in its tracks, asap. I'm being treated at...