Remembering Ismena

It was with deep sorrow that I heard the news this week that Ismena Clout had passed away. Many of you knew Ismena from Twitter @Iswhizz where her grace and humour brightened many days, and I regularly featured her on my weekly round-ups.

Ismena was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2010 and was a passionate and vociferous voice when it came to raising awareness of living with secondary breast cancer. Her last Huffington Post column last month, was written after a dream trip to Italy. In it she wrote

I’m back! More determined than ever and ready for the next bit of this journey! It’s been three months now since we stopped all treatment, and my birthday is only three weeks away so you know what, I’m pitching to get to Christmas now! Bring on Rudolf!

Ismena didn’t make it to Christmas, but she did celebrate her 40th birthday, raising over £1000 when she asked for donations to be made to her hospice instead of presents. In her memory and to support the hospice that has been such a support to her you can donate to St Raphael’s Hospice at https://www.justgiving.com/Ismena40/ where you can also leave notes of remembrance.

Ismena, we will miss your beautiful spirit from our lives, but part of your spirit lives on in each of us who were privileged to know you.