Dear Sir / Madam
This Father’s Day, on 21 June, I will celebrate every second with my twin girls, Rowan and Annie because I know how lucky I am.
In 2024, both my twin girls were diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) and our family’s hopes and dreams were blown away. Ordinary life disappeared in a flash and we were suddenly facing a new reality. One of long hospital stays, chemotherapy appointments, coping with two treatment programmes, managing infections, juggling work – it was endless and exhausting.
This experience, however has led to us meeting many amazing people, including Kirbi, our Rainbow Trust Family Support Worker, who has been an essential part of the girls’ treatment.
Supporting our whole family through highs and lows, we could not imagine coping without her. Kirbi offered us a lifeline in a time of extreme stress and her support has been magical and priceless.
Kirbi has helped us in more ways than I can mention, supporting us both in hospital and at home. She gave my partner Michelle and me precious time to rest, talk and to have hope. During one of the most uncertain periods of our lives, she became our backbone.
Needless to say, the twins adore her too. The time she spent entertaining and supporting them gave us some much-needed respite and helped bring moments of normality back into family life.
This Father’s Day feels particularly special, with the girls now on maintenance treatment and back at nursery. It feels like we can finally celebrate and enjoy the day together as a family.
Join us by celebrating Rainbow Trust this Father’s Day in the charity’s 40th year and help support more families like ours by donating here.
Yours
Tom, father to Rowan and Annie
On behalf of Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity
