It was with great sadness that I recently read of the passing of Alice Pyne, the 17 year old English girl with terminal cancer who attracted media attention when she published her bucket list.
Back in July 2011, we supported Alice by helping to raise awareness for her mission: to get people to sign-up to become bone marrow donors. Prime Minister David Cameron and many other people also backed her campaign.
Her final blog post, on New Year’s Day, announced: “Can’t believe I’m really saying ‘Happy New Year’ to you all. I don’t think there is a single doctor that would have expected me to be here when they sent me home over two years ago.”
However, just 11 days later, on 12th Jan, her Mum posted the following message on her blog:
Our darling girl, Alice, gained her angel wings today. She passed away peacefully with Simon, Milly and myself by her side. We are devastated and know that our lives will never again be the same. - Vicky
The picture, above is of Alice and Milly, her younger sister.
She will always be an inspiration to me, personally. In her comparatively short life, she achieved so much that is truly worthwhile.
Following her campaign, the Anthony Nolan blood cancer charity saw more than 40,000 people added to its donor register. Alice also set up the charity Alice’s Escapes, which helps parents to provide holidays for seriously ill children.
Alice achieved every one of the items on her bucket list.
An angel who lived among us, briefly, she now has her wings.