This is Sam’s Story, as told by his parents, Sandra and Alec. 

Sam was born in August 1996 at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital in Hammersmith. He moved with his family to Kingston, when he was 2 years old.  Sam found school at a younger age socially challenging, but he had a group of close friends with whom he stayed in touch.  Sam went to Teddington School and then on to Esher College to do his A levels. 

Sam enjoyed Leander Sea Scouts in Kingston and during this time he found his vocation in water sports.  At Albany, also in Kingston, he trained as a kayak/canoe and sailing instructor.  He also worked at Thames Young Mariners. These learned skills placed him well – when at university in Plymouth he was an active member of the Canoe Club, and during his travels to Australia when he was able to find work teaching other young people activities, for which he had immense passion.    

During his time at University Sam suffered a breakdown and had to spend some time in hospital.  Thankfully, he showed great resilience and fought back from this dark time and eventually completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering with success.  Sam’s Mum and Dad were so proud to join him on a most beautiful summer’s day in 2019, on Plymouth Hoe to celebrate his degree ceremony.

After University, Sam decided to travel and set off with a one-way plane ticket and just a rucksack for an adventure in Australia.  His time there lasted perhaps longer than he might have expected, because of COVID.  Amongst other things he worked on a farm in Queensland and got to drive some of the most enormous tractors, thereby fulfilling one of his childhood dreams: Sam loved all things mechanical, from a very early age.  Despite some challenges, Sam appeared to thrive in Australia for more than 3 years, through his own resourcefulness and determination. 

On his return from Australia in April 2022, Sam really seemed to have found himself; he had a job lined up for the summer and had just been accepted to study for a Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering at Bristol University, that autumn.  Everything seemed to be going so well and everyone had great hopes for his future.  

It was then that Sam received the devastating diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic colorectal cancer and everything changed for him and his family. 

Sam needed a colostomy operation and a stoma bag fitted, before starting treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton.  Over a period of three years, Sam followed a number of gruelling courses of chemotherapy, which had many side effects; he also underwent a number of surgical operations at the Royal Marsden in Chelsea to remove tumours from his liver and lungs. 

Throughout this time Sam was resilient and maintained a steadfast and positive attitude towards his treatment. As treatment progressed, Sam became exhausted and began to struggle again with Aspergers autism, which affected his ability to communicate and interact socially. At this point Sam consulted a specialist counsellor, who directed him towards Shine, a support organisation for young people with cancer. Sam wished he had found Shine sooner, as he gained great comfort and benefit from chatting with others living in similar circumstances. 

Sam was always open about his condition and continued to share his experiences with everyone who expressed interest.  Shortly before the end, Sam volunteered to share his experiences of his illness from the perspective of a young person via two podcasts, made by Shine. The first delivered a light-hearted but informative discussion of stoma bags. The second was a positive narrative of his experience at Princess Alice Hospice, which he recorded in his room there, to dispel some of the common myths about hospices and palliative care. It is hoped that Sam’s legacy will continue to help others in their time of most need, for many years to come. 

Sam enjoyed a wonderful Christmas 2024 with his family, but the new year brought the awful news everybody had been dreading, that no further treatment was available.  The Royal Marsden provided a referral to the Princess Alice Hospice, which provided ongoing support and help for Sam with his pain management. 

Sam’s interactions with Princess Alice Hospice were extremely supportive, and he was provided treatments and medicines that could be administered at home, however, his pain continued and became worse.  It was then that Sam was admitted to the Hospice in Esher, initially for a period of two weeks, for an intensive regime of pain management. Sam was anxious, but at the same time keen to get on top of the pain, so he could live whatever time he had left pain free. 

The Hospice was amazing, welcoming Sam and making him feel very comfortable.  The staff and volunteers made Sam’s room feel like his very own apartment and he loved the independence that this brought.  He was able to bring his well-loved Gaggia coffee machine from home, which allowed him to enjoy his coffee and Rice Krispies every morning. He also had his own refrigerator in his room.  Sam loved the decking and the pond, which he could access via doors opening from his room.  Sam named all the Koi carp in the pond and was seen several times chasing away opportunist herons who were threatening the fish. 

Unfortunately, Sam continued to struggle with pain as his condition progressed and he remained in the Hospice for eight weeks. During his stay he enjoyed his meals, which were excellent quality and he could order virtually anything he wanted.  Family and friends were welcome to visit at any time.  Sam’s mum, Sandra, spent many evenings bringing her evening meal with her and watching movies with Sam.  Alec, his dad also enjoyed weekly sessions building a wooden Robin Hotel (bird box) with Sam in the Shed, which is located in the Princess Alice Hospices gardens. 

As his pain continued to worsen, Sam was sent to St. George’s Hospital in Tooting for surgery, to install an intrathecal pump to deliver pain medication directly to the nerves within his spine.  After the operation, Sam returned to the Hospice to recover.  Following a short period of recuperation and with his pain management appearing to be stabilised, Sam expressed a desire to return home for a while. 

Sam managed 10 days at home, however he became increasingly unwell; despite the best efforts of the district nurses, who were amazing, and the Princess Alice community nursing team, it became clear that Sam really needed a level of care which could best be provided within a hospice environment. 

Sam was now very ill and at a routine appointment to adjust the controls of his intrathecal pump at the Marsden, his consultant contacted the Hospice to request his return, whilst they investigated the latest onset of sickness. Sam was welcomed back immediately and the Princess Alice team prepared the same room that he loved, so he could be made most comfortable in familiar surroundings.  Here, Sam received the best care, love and attention. 

At this point the Hospice doctors advised that Sam was dying and did not have so much time left. The Hospice team looked after Sam and his family so well. Visiting was allowed at any time and for as long as anyone wanted. 

On what turned-out to be Sam’s last day, his best friend Dom, an RAF pilot, arranged to fly-over above the Hospice in a Chinook helicopter, which was incredible for Sam, his family and all the Hospice staff.  On the same day, Sam’s Dad completed the Robin Hotel with help from Sam’s younger brother, Harry.  All Sam’s family – his mother, father, his younger sister Emily, and brother Harry, were with Sam on that very special day. Sam died peacefully on the evening of 28 May 2025, bringing a perhaps fitting end to a perfect day. Sam was 28 years old. 

Princess Alice Hospice in Esher was a blessing for Sam in his time of most need and continues to be a place with the most loving, caring and dedicated staff and volunteers. 

Sam’s Celebration of Life was held 26 June at Mortlake Crematorium, with more than 200 people attending, wearing the floral shirts, shorts and flipflops, which characterised Sam so well.  The sun shone for Sam on a sea of colour that day, which will remain in the memories of those who were there for many years to come. 

Sam was clearly a well-loved young man who fought his illness every step of the way, but sadly and eventually left this world far too early.  Sam’s friends and especially his family are so proud of him for the strength and determination shown throughout his three-year journey with cancer.  All who knew Sam will take comfort from this and will cherish his memory. 

“The day our mum passed, the staff knew it was her birthday. Some of the team came into her room with a cake and sang Happy Birthday. In that moment, even though we were facing such profound sadness, you created a memory of warmth, dignity and love. We cried both tears of grief and tears of joy. Your kindness gave us a moment of celebration amidst the hardest goodbye, and it is something we will hold in our hearts forever.”

“When Mum entered the Hospice, she really perked up. On sunny days, we’d find her sitting with the sun on her face, calm and at peace. Those visits gave us all joy.”

“One night my sister and I stayed over. Without being asked, the night team rallied round to make us a bed. Such simple kindness made us feel supported at every opportunity.” – Zoe

“When my dad was in your care, we were never just ‘Kevin’s daughter, Kevin’s wife, Kevin’s son.’ Every single member of staff learnt our names and spoke to us as individuals. That small act of kindness made us feel seen, valued and part of the Hospice family. In the middle of such a painful time, you gave us dignity, connection and belonging – and that meant the world to us.” – Kevin’s daughter

“When my friend Paul was in the In-Patient Unit, I brought in my tattoo machine. Paul wanted to leave us with ‘permanent reminders’ of him – and even tattooed me and his sister Lisa from his bed at the Hospice! Afterwards, he began drawing funny little doodles that I later used as tattoo designs. It gave him something to focus on, a spark of life. After Paul died, I went on to tattoo his family and friends with those designs in his memory, raising thousands for the Hospice. It’s a reminder of the laughter, love and creativity he found, even at the very end.” – Emily

Music was Jack’s greatest passion. Throughout his life, playing the guitar gave him endless hours of joy.

When Jack came to the Hospice in his final weeks, he got chatting to one of our social workers, Sophie, and shared his wish to play his guitar one last time. With Jack’s consent, Sophie travelled to Jack’s home in Leatherhead and made a video call to him with the support of an In-Patient Unit nurse. Jack pointed out his favourite white guitar. When reunited with his beloved instrument, Jack had the biggest smile on his face and was able to play a short piece of music. He died peacefully a few days later.

Lots of us like to enjoy a tipple during the festive season, and this includes our patients too. One of our patients, Susan, was finding it difficult to speak. But there was one word that she kept repeating. After some gentle questioning, Susan’s family revealed it was “Aperol”—her favourite drink. One of our wonderful volunteers made Susan her much-loved cocktail. Her family sat with her, dipping a swab in the Aperol so that she could enjoy the familiar taste one last time. It may have been a gloomy mid-December day, but Susan’s smile lit up the ward.

We all know there’s nothing quite like a home-cooked Christmas dinner. When David was staying with us, all he wanted was to enjoy his wife’s famous turkey, surrounded by family in the comfort of his own home. Our Hospice at Home nurses took care of the practical and medical arrangements so that his wish could come true.

On Christmas Day, David was wheeled through the door of his home, greeted by smiles and the familiar smells of Christmas. He spent those precious few hours surrounded by loved ones, a memory none of them will ever forget.