Mollie's Story
In September 2000, Mollie Rolfe was just 5 years old. A beautiful and spirited little girl. Mollie became unwell following her first few days back at school and after a short dose of antibiotics which had no effect, Mollie was admitted to hospital to await further test results. In the very early hours of the following morning a young doctor came to tell me that they thought Mollie may have Leukaemia. The very word made my blood run cold and suddenly our lives were balancing on a knife’s edge.
The following few weeks saw us transferred to the Royal Marsden and Mollie began her gruelling regime of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Our beautiful daughter lost her flowing blonde hair and her sparkle. The treatment made Mollie very ill and this went on for nearly two and a half years until finally we were told that Mollie could come off treatment. It was an anxious time for us and I never could shake the idea that a little black cloud was going to follow my precious girl forever.
Mollie enjoyed a wonderful two and a half years in remission until in September 2005 we were told the devastating news that she had relapsed. How do you tell your little angel that she would have to re-live the torture she had already endured? In actual fact the second time around, things were much worse. The treatment following a relapse has to be far tougher and push the patient far further. Too far. Following 9 months of rigorous treatment and a bone marrow transplant Mollie finally lost her brave-fought battle in May 2006. She was just 11 years old.
After losing Mollie, for a while, we floundered. We have 3 wonderful boys who needed us and who helped to keep us going. During Mollie’s treatment we had spent so much time away from them, each of us taking it in turns to stay with Mollie, we barely spent time together as a family. The roller-coaster ride we were on didn’t allow it. Just a few months after Mollie died we were invited to attend the Emily Ash Ball. At the Ball we were presented with a wonderful gift – a holiday of a lifetime...
This generous gift from the Emily Ash Trust proved to be a real blessing. We had time to spend together, experiencing new and exciting things together. The holiday helped to put us back together.
I am sharing our story with you because I believe that it is so important for you to see how your kind and generous donations can really help to make a difference.
For us Mollie’s story has come to an end. For so many families their stories are just beginning.
They need your help.