Charity ad twins who lost their dad to cancer at Christmas time
WHILE Belfast gears up for Christmas, nine-year-old twins Amy and Liam Murray have been doing their bit for families affected by a cancer diagnosis.
For them the festive period brings back memories of the death of their beloved father.
Yet both of them happily agreed to feature in a radio advert for the Cancer Focus NI Spirit of Christmas appeal as a thank you for the way the charity helped their family.
In 2009 Liam Murray senior was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour at the age of just 31.
He’d previously had cancer when he was 19, but after two operations, as well as radiation and chemotherapy, he’d been able to live a normal life for years.
In 2006 the twins were born. Then, just three years later, Liam and his wife Bernie were told that his cancer was terminal.
“It was very frightening — especially with young kids,” Bernie (38) said. “You’re bewildered; you don’t know what you’re going to do. You’re told this diagnosis and you just hope they’ve got it wrong. But, obviously, they hadn’t.”
They then had to face the difficult task of explaining Liam’s illness to their children.
On the advice of a hospice nurse the family were put in touch with Rachel Smith, the family support co-ordinator at Cancer Focus NI.
“Rachel helped us prepare what we were going to tell the kids. She helped their dad put to- gether messages that they’ll be able to read when they’re older, along with mementos for them to keep,” added Bernie.
“Rachel also advised us about what stories we could read to them to help them understand, to prepare them for what was coming.”
On Christmas Day Liam’s condition worsened. A few days later he was taken to a hospice, and died on New Year’s Day.
After his death the charity continued to support the grief-stricken family.
“Rachel came to the house and helped Amy and Liam through play, explaining things and answering their questions in a way three-year-olds would understand,” said Bernie.
The family also joined a Cancer Focus support group, which they still attend once a month. The money raised by the twins’ radio appeal will go to the charity’s family support service, which helps families affected by the disease.
According to Bernie, the twins couldn’t have been more delighted to take part.
“They were ecstatic! Everyone has been jokingly asking them for autographs,” she said.
She added: “I’d encourage everyone to help support this wonderful service — and anyone affected by cancer should definitely give Cancer Focus NI a call or look up their website. There is so much free support available and the staff are warm and friendly. It’s a real lifeline.”
To donate, text STAR33 £5 to 70070 or call Cancer Focus NI on 028 9068 0745.
There are many demands on our charity from deserving causes but it would be a hard heart which is not moved by the appeal by twins Amy and Liam Murray for donations to the Cancer Focus Christmas appeal. Having lost their father Liam to cancer six years ago, they know the value of the services offered by the organisation. Cancer is expected to hit one in two people in the coming years and there will be many households with empty chairs this Christmas because of the disease. Liam was only 31 when he died leaving his wife with the threeyear-old twins. She is delighted the children are fronting the appeal for donations.
Don’t disappoint them.