Kirsty, aged 42 from Great Harwood, was referred to East Lancashire Hospice for Complementary Therapy, following a cancer diagnosis.
From the outside, her life looked full and busy; a growing family, an NHS career, and the anticipation of welcoming a third child. But in June 2023, during what should have been a joyful pregnancy, everything changed.
At 24 weeks pregnant, Kirsty discovered a lump in her breast. Like many mothers who had breastfed, she initially thought it was a blocked milk duct, a common symptom with breastfeeding. But just two weeks later, at 26 weeks pregnant, she received the devastating news that she had breast cancer.
Kirsty began chemotherapy while still pregnant. What should have been a time of excitement and preparation became a period filled with uncertainty, hospital appointments, and fear of the unknown. She faced hair loss, the physical toll of treatment, and the emotional weight of carrying both her baby and a cancer diagnosis. Despite everything, she persevered.
Her experience was isolating. Kirsty often felt she didn’t quite belong anywhere; was she a pregnant woman with cancer, or a cancer patient who happened to be pregnant? She felt like two different patients, rather than one whole person.
Searching for connection, she created an Instagram page, @mummyvscancer. What started as a way to process her own journey soon became a lifeline, not only for Kirsty, but for others. Through sharing her story, she connected with women facing similar diagnoses, built meaningful friendships, and offered support and guidance.
In September 2023, at 36 weeks, Kirsty gave birth to her daughter via C-section. Despite everything she had endured, her baby was born healthy, spending just one day in NICU and unaffected by chemotherapy.
Shortly after birth, Kirsty continued chemotherapy, completing her final session in December 2023. In January 2024, she underwent a lumpectomy and had 25 lymph nodes removed, all of which contained cancer. Although earlier scans had suggested a positive response to treatment, surgery revealed a different reality.
Plans for further preventative surgery were put on hold when, in March 2024, Kirsty was diagnosed with metastatic cancer. The disease had spread to her spine and sternum. She also discovered she carries the BRCA2 gene, meaning her children have a 50% chance of inheriting it.
The physical challenges were immense, but the emotional impact, particularly during radiotherapy, was equally profound. It was during this time that Kirsty began to look beyond clinical treatment for support.
In April 2025, her connection to East Lancashire Hospice became deeply personal when her step-dad, Kevin, received care on the Inpatient Unit. Kirsty and her family were able to stay by his side, spending precious time together in a compassionate and supportive environment. It was here she met Danielle, a Complementary Therapist, who introduced her to a different kind of care, one that focuses on the whole person.
After taking time to grieve, Kirsty was referred to the Complementary Therapy service in January 2026.
Now, she attends one-to-one sessions with Danielle and takes part in the Hospice’s Complementary Therapy Relaxation Group. From her very first appointment, Kirsty felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time; relaxed, listened to, and understood. Danielle took the time to get to know her, not just as a patient, but as a person with a life, a family, and a story.
Previously, Kirsty had often been turned away from massage and holistic therapies due to misconceptions around treating people with cancer. At the Hospice, she found acceptance and expertise.
Her perception of hospice care has completely changed. Where she once associated hospices with fear and end-of-life, she now sees East Lancashire Hospice as a place of warmth, compassion, and support, a place that cares for both patients and their friends and families.
Kirsty has experienced the Hospice from both sides: as a daughter saying goodbye to her step-dad, and as a patient seeking support. In both roles, she felt cared for, respected, and never alone.
Today, life for Kirsty is a constant balancing act; hospital appointments, blood tests, and recovery from ongoing treatments, all while raising three young children and continuing to advocate for cancer awareness during pregnancy. She uses her platform to raise awareness of cancer during pregnancy, encouraging others not to ignore symptoms.
Her youngest child is now two years old, living a full and healthy life. However, for Kirsty, uncertainty continues. She is currently awaiting biopsy results following signs of cancer progression on her Supraclavicular Lymph node.
Despite it all, Kirsty continues to face each day with strength, honesty, and determination, not just for herself, but for her family and for others who are in a similar situation.
In the UK, two people every day are diagnosed with cancer during or shortly after pregnancy. (British Journal of Cancer)
Kirsty’s story is a powerful reminder of why awareness, early detection, and specialised hospice care matter so much.
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