Kerry Muncie, 53, from Swannington, will be taking on the LOROS Machu Picchu Trek in March 2027 alongside her daughter, Hannah. The challenge holds special significance for their family as they trek in memory of their daughter and sister, Lily, and raise funds for LOROS following the support the family received. Here is Kerry's story.
"Before cancer became part of our lives, Lily was a vibrant, funny and determined young woman who filled every room with laughter. She loved being active, spending time with her friends, and challenging herself. She danced competitively and was a member of a gymnastics competition team. She had a brilliant sense of humour, a kind heart, and a way of making people smile no matter what was going on.
Lily was also incredibly hardworking. Alongside studying Sports and Exercise Science at college, she worked at McDonald's. She had big plans for the future and dreamed of becoming a paramedic.
In September 2023, Lily was involved in a minor car accident that wasn't her fault. Her dad was in the car with her and they both suffered whiplash injuries. While her dad recovered, Lily's back pain never seemed to improve. Over the following months she attended physiotherapy appointments and visited the doctor several times, but despite everyone's best efforts, she continued to struggle.
By December, she had started being sick and was losing weight. In January 2024, her symptoms worsened and she became increasingly tired, while the pain in her back continued. We booked another doctor's appointment and blood tests were taken. At first, we were told it might be a virus, but when the results came back showing raised inflammatory markers, we were sent to Leicester Royal Infirmary for further investigations.
In February 2024, when she was just 17 years old, our world changed overnight when Lily was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
Lily was immediately transferred to the Teenage Cancer Trust ward at Leicester Royal Infirmary to begin chemotherapy. Initially, doctors struggled to identify exactly what type of cancer she had. After months of further tests and biopsies, we were told it was an extremely rare sarcomatoid-type renal cell carcinoma. The cancer had started in her kidney and spread to her spine and lung. We later learned that the back pain she had been experiencing for months was caused by cancer in her spine, which had led to fractures in her back. Her oncologist even referred to it as the 'Lily tumour' because it was so rare.
The treatment was brutal and options were limited because of how rare her cancer was. The doctors had to use treatments typically given for renal cancer in the hope they would work. When chemotherapy proved unsuccessful, Lily was moved onto immunotherapy, but sadly that too failed to stop the cancer from spreading.
Despite everything she endured, Lily was determined not to let cancer take away her future. She continued with her studies, attended university interviews, completed all of her college work and sat her end-of-year exams. Against unimaginable odds, she secured a place at university to study paramedic science.
The courage, resilience and determination she showed during that time still amaze me. Watching my daughter face such a devastating diagnosis with so much strength made me unbelievably proud.
Lily's older sister, Hannah, was her best friend. While Lily was undergoing treatment, Hannah was also trying to continue with her own degree. Through everything, they supported each other. Their bond was incredibly special.
When people think about Lily, I don't want them to think about cancer. I want them to remember the wonderful young woman she was before her illness: funny, hardworking, loving, determined and always making people laugh.
As Lily's treatment continued, she became less mobile and found it increasingly difficult to leave the house. She was referred to LOROS for counselling, giving her a safe space to talk about everything she was experiencing.
Through LOROS, she was also introduced to the complementary therapy team. Whenever she felt well enough and wasn't in hospital, we would attend sessions together and have massages.
Those visits became something we both looked forward to. They gave us precious time together away from hospital appointments, treatment schedules and medical discussions. For a little while, we could simply relax and enjoy being mother and daughter.
Later, as Lily's condition changed, we met Alex, a LOROS palliative care nurse. Alex came to our home to help manage Lily's pain and quickly built a wonderful relationship with her. Knowing Alex was there to support us, and that we always had someone to turn to with questions or concerns, brought us enormous comfort during a very difficult time.
One of the things that stands out most about LOROS is how much they understood not only Lily's needs, but ours too. Lily particularly valued her complementary therapy sessions because they gave her a break from hospital life. We also met Fiona, a young person's key worker, who spent one-to-one time with Lily, ensuring she always had somebody she could talk to.
Sometimes people underestimate how important it is simply to have someone who understands. LOROS gave Lily that support, and it meant the world to us.
Sadly, Lily lost her fight against cancer in January 2025.
No matter how ill she became, we never stopped hoping her treatment would work. Losing her was devastating. There are no words that can truly describe the pain of losing a child.
After Lily died, I was referred to LOROS for bereavement counselling. I had never experienced counselling before and initially found it incredibly difficult. Gradually, though, it helped me process everything our family had been through and begin to imagine a future without Lily.
My counsellor, Donna, was incredibly kind and patient. She never rushed me and always allowed me to move at my own pace. The support she gave me has been invaluable.
As we moved into the second year without Lily, I realised I needed something positive to focus on. LOROS had supported both Lily and our family through the hardest period of our lives, and I wanted to give something back.
When I saw the LOROS Peru Trek advertised, I talked about it with Hannah. We both felt it was something we should do together. We signed up, determined to raise as much money as possible for LOROS while honouring Lily's memory.
Of course, we're nervous. Trekking at altitudes of around 14,800 feet will test us physically and mentally. We know it won't be easy. But whenever things feel difficult, we'll think about Lily and everything she endured. The courage, strength and resilience she showed at just 17 years old continue to inspire us every day. If she could face everything she faced with such bravery, then we can keep putting one foot in front of the other. This is for Lily, in her memory, and for everyone who has supported us along the way.
What I'm most looking forward to is making memories with Hannah. After everything we have been through together, being able to take on such an incredible challenge side by side means so much. While I am apprehensive about the altitude and the physical demands, I know having Hannah with me will make all the difference.
The timing of the trek is particularly significant. When we complete the challenge, it will be just nine days before what would have been Lily's 21st birthday. It will undoubtedly be emotional, but I hope it will also be a beautiful way to celebrate her life, her achievements and the impact she continues to have on us.
LOROS simply would not exist without fundraising and donations. Before Lily became ill, we were an ordinary family who never imagined we would one day need the support of a hospice. Life can change in an instant, and when it does, having an organisation like LOROS there for you makes an enormous difference.
The support they gave Lily and our family helped us through some of the darkest moments of our lives. Every donation, no matter how large or small, helps ensure that another family facing the unimaginable can receive that same care and compassion.
That is why Hannah and I are taking on this challenge. We want to raise as much money as possible in Lily's memory, while giving something back to the people who cared for her and supported our family when we needed it most."
