Marian Adams

Sally was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. She deferred her degree course at Bedford University for a year and between courses of chemotherapy worked at McDonalds, where she was voted employee of the year.

She continued taking medication and returned to university in January 2001, graduating nine months later with a 2:1 honours degree in education. Her family thought the illness was being controlled but at Easter 2002 doctors discovered the cancer had spread to Sally's liver.

Sally spent weeks at a time in hospital receiving treatment before finally coming home to Melton to be with her family.

Mum Marian said:

"It came to a point when we had to decide where Sally was going to spend her last weeks and I couldn't bear the thought of her not coming home. We needed to show we had enough support to care for Sally at home and this was provided by the District Nurses who in turn organised the care from the Marie Curie Nurses.

"The first couple of weeks were marvellous. The fact that the nurses were there enabled us to be more positive and we were able to do loads of things; a bonfire party, an early Christmas and firework display, even a VIP Formula One racing day at Donington's Auto Italia championships.

"It was like magic when the Marie Curie Nurses came in the house. It was like an angel had come, they were really marvellous. Mick and I were getting so tired. We were taking it in turns to stay with Sally downstairs and when the Marie Curie Nurses came in we could at least rest our bodies if not our minds. Sally was really grateful too. She could tell them things she couldn't say to us.

"Looking back it was hard work and stressful but I wouldn't have had it any other way."

Pictured: Sally Adams