In memory of Lora Willing

Lora Willing passed away one year ago today from secondary breast cancer. Thank you to her family for sharing her story with us.

Lora was 37 when she was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer in May 2020.

Lora had recently moved back to the North East to be closer to her family after living in Northampton for many years.  Being a mother of two young children and a secondary school teacher Lora always had a full and busy life and we are privileged to have so many fantastic memories and special times that we’ve shared over the course her life.  

Lora started her first cycle of chemotherapy in June where she initially had 6 rounds.  She had to attend each appointment alone due to Covid-19 restrictions but did so with such a positive attitude always taking her favourite Craig David tunes for company, or wearing her ‘strong girls club’ jumper to get her in the right mindset.

Lora was determined not to let the treatment stop her living her life and always looked for ways to help others and raise awareness of breast cancer. Midway through one of her chemo cycles Lora climbed Helvellyn in the Lake District to raise money for a cancer haircare charity, helping others suffering with hair loss due to cancer treatment. 

Following the chemotherapy Lora then had numerous rounds of radiotherapy, a lumpectomy and 4 months of oral chemotherapy before finally being given the all clear in April 2021. 

Our relief was short lived when only a few weeks later Lora was re-diagnosed, the cancer had spread to her bones and her brain. The devastation and shock was indescribable and the impact it had on everyone around her was immense.  At this point Lora started researching secondary breast cancer and this is how she came across Make 2nds Count, where she discovered more about secondary breast cancer and how it affects so many people each year.  

Lora felt it was important to support a charity like Make 2nds Count because she realised that only a small proportion of funding is spent on researching treatments for secondary breast cancer.  She believed treatments for secondaries should be given a much higher priority, enabling more treatment options to become available and in turn prolonging the lives of patients.  Lora acknowledged the importance of trying everything offered to her to gain some control over the disease so she could spend as much time as possible with her loved ones. 

Being classed as high risk whilst having treatment, Lora didn’t get the opportunity to meet many people and talk face to face, so while undergoing further chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Lora started raising awareness of secondary breast cancer on her social media platforms and helped to raise money for Make 2nds Count.  Sadly, Lora passed away on 22nd November 2021 from metastatic breast cancer.  We thought it was poignant to remember Lora around the anniversary of her passing, to recognise the positive impact she had on so many people and the difference she made to all of our lives.  Lora had such a fantastic sense of humour, a huge smile and was a loving mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend, we couldn’t be any more proud of her.

As part of Lora’s legacy we will continue to raise awareness of secondary breast cancer and support Make 2nds Count in whatever way we can. 

Thank you to Lora's family for sharing their story.