Summer sorrow

Every year in June, the airline, Flybe, raises money for Cancer Research UK by collecting from passengers as they disembark from their flight. Every year, I forget about this until I take my annual trip to Southampton. Last week, then, I was able to make my annual donation to Cancer Research UK twice. Though I know I would resent being asked for money (and frequently do!) for a charity that I don't consider to be "mine", I'm glad Flybe makes this collection - it reminds me to contribute to research that saved my life and it reminds other people that if they haven't done so already, they may one day need the outcomes of that research themselves.

Sadly, for some it's already too late. My summer sorrow arises from the fact that I heard today that a very special lady is now receiving palliative care for her cancer as the anti-cancer treatment was doing more harm than good. After many years of fighting to recover, nothing more can be done. We can only hope for remission.

To watch someone in pain and be unable to do more than decrease the symptoms without being able to remove the cause is a terrible experience. My thoughts right now are with my dear friend's family, knowing that they have been strong so far and hoping that they will be able to bear the days, months, weeks ahead.

I mourn the passing of friends who leave suddenly, but the lengthy suffering of other friends is unbearable; not only does it remind me of the frailty of our exis

Don't forget that one in three of us will be touched by cancer at some time in our lives, directly or indirectly. The more we support research, the sooner we may find better and/or more successful treatments.