To find out how we commemorate Martha visit her charity website at www.marthacare.co.uk

This memorial website was created in the memory of my daughter Martha Mickshik who was born in United Kingdom on February 03, 1999 and passed away on May 16, 2006 at the age of 7. 

At 8 months of age she was diagnosed with a massive brain tumour.  She was the 1st person in the UK to have this particular type of tumour and the oncologist had no proven treatment plan.  We as a family spent a great deal of time at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol Children's hospital and Yeovil District hospital. 

Being a pioneer became something of a theme for Martha.  her tumour gave off lots of sticky stuff which meant she got hydrocephalus and needed a shunt to drain the fluid away.  Ordinary shunts didn't work so the neurosurgeon had to design a new experimental shunt based on a Denver shunt, usually used for abdomens.  In the meantime she had an externalised shunt (an EVD)which was intended to serve her for a very short period of time.  However, Martha style, this worked so well she became the first person ever to be sent home from Frenchay with the EVD which I flushed to prevent blockages.  The EVD was inserted on 25th April 2005 and remained with her until she passed away.

Martha had many years of chemo, about 4 in all, plus radiotherapy about 18 months ago which met with very little success.  That she survived for 7 years with this tumour making very slow progress is testament to the treatment she received.  However, anyone who met Martha knew that most of all, her character proved to be her strongest asset.  She was a joy to meet as she could bring anyone out of themselves, cheering them with her chatter and jokes. 

She was my constant companion.  we were always chatting to each other or other people. Her seat at the table with all her paints, glues, notebooks and toys is undisturbed at the moment.  I miss our chats, her jokes, the way she would chat to anyone and win them over.  Most of all I so miss holding her close whilst we watched TV, how she said "I love you mummy" when I kissed her goodnight, I miss the warmth of her hand in mine and my soul aches with losing her.

Martha's favourite ever thing was to tell jokes; she knew so many I have asked everyone who knew her to write as many as they can remember so I can put them into a book to raise funds for "Martha Care Trust".  If you know any jokes, please include them in your memorial candle, then Martha can still make us smile, even from heaven.  This book will be available from 11th July 2007 and can be bought for £5 plus p&p

Martha's favourite colour was yellow.  We all wore something yellow to her funeral and I put yellow windmills and ornaments on her grave.

Her funeral made front page news locally and St John's church in Glastonbury was packed with over 500 people.  Her school plan to make a memorial garden.  Local shops have started collections for "Martha Care Trust".

The memorial garden is now complete and will be opened by the mayor of Glastonbury at 2pn on Wednesday 11th July 2007.  I am deeply touched by the generosity of St John's school, Glastonbury trust and all the parents who have freely given time or money to make the garden.  I'll put some pictures on here of the opening when it happens.

Martha Care Trust is now a registered charity & is desperately in need of money or support to help us support families of very sick children in hospital.  Visit www.marthacare.co.uk for more information

Her Brother Ben wrote this poem for his little sis:

Dear little sister,

Dear little sister
Where did you go?
Me, and everyone else you
knew
We all miss you so

Dear little sister
Where have you gone
I’ve looked all over the world
Apart from London

Dear little sister
I’m glad I realised
That you and me were brother and sister
We weren’t meant to fight

Dear little sister
I have a lock of your hair
But now the happiness has gone
Leaving me in despair.


In memory of my dear little
sister who died of a
brain tumour in May 2006