Brenda Jeffrey would like to share her family’s story with Kilbryde Hospice.

On Friday 31st January, the family of Jacqueline McCool organised a night of entertainment, at the Parkville Hotel, Blantyre and raised an incredible £4,650.00, which has been donated to Kilbryde Hospice.

In 2011, Jackie, as she was known, was 39, enjoying life with her husband Andy and children Lauren (aged 5) and Rachel (aged 2), when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Jackie went on to have a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Throughout her treatment, Jackie was always very positive and brave and once her treatment was complete, she returned to normal, going back to her job as an English teacher and generally getting on with life.

In 2016, Jackie was given the devastating news that the cancer had returned in her other breast. Again, she remained positive as she underwent more gruelling operations and treatment. Determined to beat the disease, Jackie also underwent new medical trials at Edinburgh Royal – but nothing worked.

Sadly, although Jackie never gave up hope and always believed she would be cured, she died, after a short stay in St Andrew’s Hospice, Airdrie on 1st October 2016.

Having witnessed the excellent care and compassion shown by St Andrew’s Hospice, the family decided to help our local hospice – Kilbryde, which at the time of Jackie’s illness only had the funding to run as a day hospice.

Pictured is Andy McCool, Rachel McCool, Lauren McCool, Bridie Cropp, Brenda Jeffrey.