12/06/2026
"My Special Day was amazing! Me and my wife had a night away and spa break at our wedding venue from eight years before, which was wonderful. All the happy memories of that day came flooding back instantly."
28-year-old, Karl, from Rotherham, chose to visit Oulton Hall Spa for his relaxing Special Day. It was a chance for him and his wife to be together in such a meaningful place, following two years of treatment.
“We are a family of four - me, my wife and our two sons, who both have autism, so our lives have been pretty regimented to keep them regulated. I have always tried to be active, whether that be the gym, golf, jiu-jitsu or just building anything out of wood.
“My illness really affected the whole family, and being diagnosed with APML (acute promyelocytic leukaemia) four days before Christmas and starting treatment that day was tough. Our lives were turned upside in an instant and the boys especially struggled with me not being at home, which made a hard time even harder as I knew they didn't fully understand where I was.
“That made it very difficult but also gave me the extra drive to get better and get back to them.
“Time is so precious. Memories made are the true gifts in life and Willow's Special Days provide that.”
Stories like Karl's are a reminder that rare diseases do not discriminate, and for young adults navigating a diagnosis that so few people around them will ever understand, being seen and supported can make all the difference.
Willow exists to make sure no seriously ill young adult has to face that journey on their own. Last year alone, 684 young people living with a rare disease received a Special Day, break or treat, bringing moments of joy and connection at a time when they needed it most.
We're so grateful to the Alexion Charitable Foundation for helping make moments like Karl's possible. 💜
