Friday 26th February 2010

Some of you may remember a blog I wrote recently that was a slightly different follow Friday, if you read further down you will find it. It’s the one from Friday 29th January.  I cried when I wrote it, and apologise for making others cry when they read it.  But it needed to be said. It was about a very special girl, Carrie-Louise Robe who is the daughter of a very good friend of mine.

I am sorry to have to update you with the sad news that Carrie passed away at 4.00am on Thursday 25th February, 2010.  


Beautiful, brave Carrie was given just a few days left to live back at the end of January.  She was only 14, and had a rare form of cancer called T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.  Despite having a bone marrow transplant in 2007, she was told before Christmas she would have to endure more Chemo, have operations on her knees, and so much more. She was a very poorly little girl, and through it all she always thought of others before herself, never feeling sorry for herself, or allowing others to feel sorry for her.  To put this in perspective, for nearly half of her short life she suffered. Life stinks sometimes, it truly does.

She battled to the end and went out smiling; every photo of her I saw had the same beaming smile!

I am asking you to do something for me in Carrie’s memory. I’d like you to consider joining the British Bone Marrow Register


It’s easy to do, you just let them know next time you donate blood. It’s as simple as that.  Both my husband and I have been on the register for years.  There’s a chance that you could be a match for someone who is seriously ill.  By joining the register you have the chance to save a life.  It’s too late to help Carrie, but there’ll be someone else’s daughter or son, wife or husband out there who desperately needs your help. I know that some of you would love to do this, but for health reasons are unable to join, if that’s the case please just share this blog with your friends and family.

If you would like to support Carrie’s memory, I have set up a JustGiving page in her name in support of one of her chosen charities, Clic Sargent, with all money donated in Carrie’s name, in an effort to help other children and families suffering from cancer.


I would deem it a great personal favour if you would consider joining the Bone Marrow register or make a donation to Carrie’s charity, or even both.

I apologise for copying sections of this from my original blog, but right now am too upset to start telling the tale totally afresh.  I also borrowed the idea for the verse below from one of the facebook pages her friends set up for her, to show they loved her and wanted her to get better.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am in a thousand winds that blow,

I am the softly falling snow.

I am the gentle showers of rain,

I am the fields of ripening grain.

I am in the morning hush,

I am in the graceful rush

Of beautiful birds in circling flight,

I am the starshine of the night.

I am in the flowers that bloom,

I am in a quiet room.

I am in the birds that sing,

I am in each lovely thing.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there. I do not die (Mary Elizabeth Frye)

I would like to dedicate this blog to the memory of Carrie-Louise Robe, whose bravery, amazing outlook on life, and fabulous smile continue to fill me with respect and awe.  Rest in peace Carrie xxx




3 comments:

  1. Just right Helen, beautifully written. The poem is a wonderful tribute to a wonderful young lady who touched all our lives.

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  2. I finally managed to make an appointment to give blood next month. I will make sure DH & I also both sign up to the bone marrow register.

    Thanks for posting this Helen.

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  3. Helen, I'm in tears after reading your blog... you wrote that so beautifully. I wonder if Carrie was a friend of Gary's niece, Emma was treated at Jimmy's in Leeds. God bless Carrie so very sad. Love and hugs to her family. x

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