MY BEAUTIFUL SISTER JOAN DIED OF CANCER ON THE 16TH OF JUNE 1994 THE SAME DATE WE ENTRED THE ORPHANGE IN 1959. I made her a promise A PROMISE FULLFILED AFTER 15 YEARS
FOR MY SISTER JOAN WHO DIED OF CANCER

sadness and joy a true story!

my journey

"OUR STARS FOR LIFE"
My sister Joan was diagnosed with cevical cancer in 1989 . My world fell apart. After five years of bravery to battle it. When she rang me at work in London and told me in one breath! MIR CAN YOU COME HOME I HAVE GOT 48 HOURS TO LIVE . I just could not believe it was true. Joan was going to die. Joan was everything to me. Surrounded by her husband her 3 children our Mom her sisters and brothers at her home. On the 16th of June 1994 with the windows opened wide and the sun shining on her face she passed away peacefully aged 40

MY PROMISE
when i spent my last few precious moments alone with Joan. I PROMISED her that one day .I would do something really special in her memory and help other cancer sufferers and there families

I am inviting everyone across Ireland and beyond to particapate in making STARS in memory of loved ones we have lost to cancer at just the cost of €1 a Star. While they are making their think of the person ! who they were, Mum, Dad, Sister, Brother or anyone who you felt close to

I recieved over 5,000 STARS .i want to expand this globally i know it will work and raise alot of money for your cancer charity & cancer care . The money you raise it stays with you I will display your stars

Below is an e mail i recieved from the programmes editor

Thank you so much for your email to Nationwide, I am delighted to hear that you got such a positive responce to the programme, broadcast last Wednesday evening. We had many positive calls about your story and many people were moved to tears. You have done what you set out to do, keeping your promise to your sister.

I want to thank you for allowing us to film you in your home and for giving us access to your story, the photographs and the memories. You are a very special and wonderful person.

the programme was watched by almost 400,000 viewers

Please feel free to email your friends the link below, this link will bring them directly to the webpage, where they can view your story anytime in the coming years..

Once again thank you for allowing us to tell your story.

Kindest regards,
Eoin Ryan
Producer
Nationwide
RTE

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/1118/nationwide.html
all stars were displayed in Ballyseedy home and Garden Centre in Tralee on a giant Christmas tree and also on the walls of the garden centre.