Family raise over £50,000 for Lymphoma Action in memory of beloved Simran

Everyone at Lymphoma Action has been touched by Simran’s story, and we would like to thank everyone who has donated such an amazing amount in memory of someone who was so special and loved. Donations have come in from all over the world as a show of support to the family since Simran’s sad passing due to post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), a rare form of lymphoma, in October at the age of 26. Simran had received a liver transplant in 2018 after living with a diagnosis of auto-immune hepatitis since the age of 13. PTLD can develop in a small number of people who are taking medicines to dampen their immune system to prevent their body rejecting an organ after a transplant, but the condition is rare.

Now, Simran’s family are keen to share her story in order to raise awareness about lymphoma. What follows is a reflection on Simran’s experience with lymphoma, as told by her loved ones.

‘In February 2020, Sim got engaged to her partner Arun and, like every girl, she was planning her wedding to perfection. The proposal was magical, and the wedding was booked for July 2021. She was so excited to start the next stage in her life, from her dream wedding and honeymoon to having children. Every detail was perfectly planned out in true Sim style.

Earlier this year, Sim started to experience excruciating back pain and weight loss. By April, her plans came crashing down when she was diagnosed with lymphoma.

Despite her cancer diagnosis, Sim remained positive just as she had done throughout her teenage years. She was such a fighter. When other children were enjoying their teenage years, Sim was battling through countless hospital appointments and spent many weeks at a time in hospital from the ages of 13 to 22. Despite the circumstances, she excelled in her studies and went on to receive a degree in law. She approached her cancer diagnosis with the same positive spirit and was determined to fight for herself, her family, her fiancé and for her happy ever after.

Sim started her treatment in May 2021, initially undergoing a course of immunotherapy before completing six rounds of chemotherapy. She was also told that she had the option of receiving CAR T- Cell Therapy after meeting the treatment criteria and, most importantly, having found a donor match. Finally, there was a ray of hope, and it started to look as though there was a light at the end of the tunnel. It seemed like everything was coming together, but unfortunately Sim’s cancer was very aggressive. After battling lymphoma for 7 months, on 28 October Sim peacefully left us for a better place with no more pain and suffering. She was the most courageous girl we know. The bravest thing she did was to fight to stay alive each day.

As a family we are determined to keep her memory alive by letting everyone know about who she is and her incredible strength while raising awareness about lymphoma. We also want to show our support for a Charity who were a great source of information and support throughout Sim’s treatment. Our promise to her is that for as long as we live, and with every beat of our hearts, she will never be forgotten. We love her so much, and for us, this is not the end, it is just the beginning.’

The family’s fundraising page can be found at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/simrankaurgill.

7 December 2021