FRIENDS of an expectant mum who lost her fiance suddenly to cancer are fundraising for her future.
Sophie Williams’ partner Calan Smith died in August at Warwick’s Myton Hospice surrounded by his friends and family – just months before the couple’s first child is due.
Calan’s death came out of the blue. The Kenilworth couple had no idea Calan was ill until he went to Warwick A&E the day after his 34th birthday in May with chest pains, breathlessness and heart palpitations.
After initially being told it was pluracy and pneumonia, and spending four weeks at Warwick Hospital, with various tests and procedures, Calan was transferred to a hospital in Nottingham with suspected germ cell cancer.
He was told by a specialist his cancer was treatable and they would start chemotherapy.
But this was then put on hold while further tests were done. Calan was then told they could not find the source of the cancer and that it was advanced.
Chemo started the very next day which consisted of four aggressive types to try and target it. Three days in he had to have an emergency stent fitted and on the fifth day his heart rate was over 250bpm.
Calan and his family were given the devastating news he would not make it through the night – but he fought through it.
He was then told he could not continue with the treatment as his heart could not take anymore.
His wish was to spend his final days at Myton Hospice surrounded by family and friends.
While at Myton, Calan proposed to Sophie and the couple, who had been together for three years, found out they were expecting a little girl.
Calan lost his battle with cancer on August 19.
Sophie remained by Calan’s side throughout and put her dog grooming business in the hands of an employee.
She now faces a very different future. The 32-year-old is expecting their daughter in November but may not be able to stay in the home the couple had made their own as Calan did not have life insurance and Sophie is not able to get a mortgage.
She also has concerns over how she will support herself during her maternity leave as Calan was going to continue work as an events organiser.
And as a result her friends are rallying around to raise some money to help support her.
She also has the strong support of her family, including older sister Amy, who found out she was pregnant around the same time as Sophie.
Sophie’s friend Hollie Rapkins said: “This has just completely broke my heart and feeling helpless, seeing my best friend, her gorgeous sister and family go through this whilst both being pregnant.
“This should be the happiest time of their lives and now their whole world has been shattered by this cruel disease.”
Visit www.gofundme.com/f/dv52n-sophie to donate.
