Before Greg’s diagnosis, I didn’t pay much attention to charities; I don’t think I understood what they actually do. When Greg was diagnosed with cancer and then a few days later told he was stage IV, I had literally no idea what to do. Google sent me spiralling through websites that told me chemotherapy was a government conspiracy, you could cure cancer with carrot juice and positivity was all you would need to fight this battle.

At that time, I was inundated with messages from people and one of the most important was from a stranger. Deborah Alsina had seen our story in the press and got in contact; she is the CEO of Bowel Cancer UK and all round human angel. She let me rant lots of incoherent thoughts at her and slowly helped me to unravel all of the information about bowel cancer treatment. Her team are cherubs and for the past two years, I have grown so close to them, they are trusted friends who I speak candidly to about some of the darkest points in my life.

Bowel Cancer UK has joined together with Beating Bowel Cancer, the other charity that helped us enormously. Their website has the most coherent information about bowel cancer treatment; I had no clue how excruciating it would be to navigate stage IV treatment as a layperson with no specialism in science. It gave me the knowledge to go armed to the oncology unit with specific questions that we would never have known otherwise. Beating Bowel Cancer also provided the most welcoming online forum with a specific private section for carers, giving them a space to vent without guilt or worry.

These two charities joining together means all the UK’s specialism in the area of bowel cancer is all under one roof. This disease is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer and with the right knowledge and understanding, it is curable. Bowel Cancer UK’s mission is to make sure no one dies from bowel cancer by the year 2050. With all the top brains, fundraisers, researchers and supporters all working towards this goal, it is absolutely achievable.

When something terrible happens in your life, you will be relieved to contact someone who understands and can help. Charities are literally saving lives; think about how you can support ones close to your heart.

*Stacey Heale has left her career as a fashion lecturer to focus on her two lively little girls and fiancé, Delays frontman Greg Gilbert, who was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in November 2016. She launched the viral campaign Give4Greg to raise funds for lifesaving treatment: gofundme.com/give4greg. You can read more at her blog beneaththeweather.com