Chris’ Story

Chris was diagnosed with Non- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and experienced multiple relapses since 2019. He was introduced to the Hospice Nurse Specialist team in June 2024, who supported and cared for Chris whilst he was at home. Sadly, Chris passed away in August 2024. Here, his son Jay tells their families’ story.

“My dad was a father to three, a brother to five, a grandfather and a husband. He was the most generous person you could ever wish to know, always wanting to help people and include everyone in anything that he had planned. An example of that was the summer barbeques he used to host, which started as a family BBQ but ended up with around 40 guests from local friends, work, family and anyone else who he could get a hold of.

Dad always wanted people to feel a part of something, that they had people to rely on if they needed anything and he would be the one to do that. Dad was a serving police officer when he passed away. I am currently a serving police officer too, so our lives are very much going to work, fixing problems along the way to help others and their communities.

Dad loved his family very much and it was always very important to him that they were looked after. He would always be there for you no matter what and this is now what is sadly missed by many.”

Being introduced to the Hospice

“We were introduced to the hospice through Christie’s and the community nurses. Aimee became our main point of contact and support through the whole process of keeping dad at home. From our first meeting where we discussed our options, we knew that we would get on well with Aimee.

Aimee offered full support to my dad to fulfil his wishes of being at home when he passed away. She always made sure that no matter what it was that we needed, it was in place as quick as possible. We were amazed at some of the stuff she had managed to organise and it never seemed too much of a problem for Aimee to sort for us.

As well as looking after my dad, Aimee offered all of the family support. On all her visits she checked in and made sure that we didn’t need anything more ourselves. At the time we politely declined because my dad was our focus but now one of us is going for complementary therapy soon. I think this is amazing that it is offered, and that Aimee regularly checked in with us, even after dad passed away.”

Giving back

“Before he passed away, Dad wanted to raise money for The Christie NHS Foundation Trust for all the help and support that he had been given. He wanted to do a sky dive himself but was advised medically that couldn’t happen, so I was given the opportunity to do it instead. I went to the Black Knights sky dive centre in Lancaster at the end of September and did the sky dive from 15000ft. In total, we raised just over £1700 for The Christie and £300 for the Hospice from last minute sponsors.

My brother Callum wanted to do a sky dive as well, so we are both going to complete another one in November 2024, weather permitting. We are going to try and raise as much as possible for the hospice.”

Published November 2024