On October 5th Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony were incredibly excited, and proud, to host our very first osteosarcoma symposium. The idea was first sparked a few years ago, but with Covid, train strikes, and a baby to contend with, October 5th was the finally the day! 

The symposium brought together those who have battled the disease, clinicians, and researchers - connecting some of the brightest brains working hard to keep #kickingcancersbutt.  

The day started with an emotional talk from Rachel Francis, Hannah’s mum. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room and Rachael bravely spoke about Hannah Louise Francis. Her incredible daughter, with an infectious smile, pure heart, and love of life (and horses!). A girl who had so much ambition, and so much life left to live.  

Rachel shared the heartache of watching Hannah face excruciating pain before finally receiving the life-shattering diagnosis of osteosarcoma, 5-months after her first GP appointment, and 2 months after her initial X-ray. Whilst it was wished that the diagnosis, and subsequent treatment, would help take the pain away, Rachel shared the ‘helpless’ feeling of watching her daughter in horrendous pain, suffering the horrific side effects of treatment, and being unable to help. Despite this unbelievable pain, in true Hannah style, she took on the treatment like everything else in her life, with grit, determination, and a bucket list full of unbelievable ambition to work through. 

Rachel’s talk was a reminder of why we were all gathered in the room, the incredible girl behind the charity, and the hope that in the future the research Hannah enables will help those facing the same diagnosis.  

Rachel was followed by Dr Polly Bates, who shared a clinician’s perspective on battling the disease. Polly highlighted that osteosarcoma is a rare disease, 160 cases per year, and typically shows non-conclusive systems such as pain in young ‘healthy’ teens. As a result, early diagnosis is often missed. Which is worrying given survival rates are less than 20% if the disease has spread, which ~20% of cases have by the time they are diagnosed. What is even scarier than these statistics, is the limited progress in survival rates since 1970s (when chemotherapy was introduced) that Polly shared, which stressed the need for funding into more effective treatments. 

Matt Clark, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma 14 years ago, then spoke about the ‘luck’ and subsequent ‘guilt’ of being one of the survivors to beat the statistics. A family friend, and chance second look from a radiographer, meant Matt had a quick path from diagnosis to treatment. Whilst this saved his life, the lasting impact of the brutal treatment (a deaf left ear, and prosthesis in his leg) brought home the stark need for advancement in the archaic drugs.    

Thankfully, Willberry’s team of researchers are working on just that! Throughout the day we heard updates from: 

• Belle Creith (University of Southampton) – using laser-free microscopy to identify abnormal collagen which may be a pre-cursor for osteosarcoma diagnosis 
• Hannah Smith (University of Southampton) – developing a 3-D osteosarcoma microenvironment for drug testing 

• Daniela Paternina Martinez (Middlesex University) – understanding the role of migratory bodies in osteosarcoma metastasis 
• Prof. Allie Gatland (on behalf of Victoria Tippett) (University of Sheffield) – developing an in-vitro model of chemo resistant osteosarcoma cells 
• Luke Tattersalls (University of Sheffield) – conducting high-throughput screening of drugs on chemo resistant osteosarcoma cells 
• Michael Dack (Kings College London) – understanding the role of macrophages in Osteosarcoma initiation, progression and metastasis. 

In addition, there were insightful expert talks from Prof. Agamemmon Grigoriadis on the pathways of osteosarcoma, and Dr Helen Roberts on the role of autophagy in overcoming chemoresistance in osteosarcoma.  

Team Willberry would like to send an enormous thank you to Alice Goring for organising, The Goring Hotel for having us (and feeding us so well!), the incredible researchers working so hard, and Hannah’s amazing supporters who have enabled this to happen.  

But most of all, we would like to thank Hannah for always thinking of others, even in the most challenging of circumstances. Without her kindness, and ambition, to help those diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the future, we wouldn’t have been able to gather the clever scientists working to keep #kickingcancersbutt. 

So, thank you Han, for reminding us to “Dream Big, Fight Hard, and Never Give Up” on #kickingcancersbutt.  Hannah Francis, forever in our hearts and NEVER FORGOTTEN  <3

Siobhan got in touch to tell us about this amazing little girl called Esmae, who has had a very tough time with treatment for a brain tumour.  Devastatingly, Esmae has lost her sight due to the location of the tumour.  Willberry immediately got his thinking cap on.  What could he do for Esmae?  He was told she wanted to meet a pony and, as Esmae has an older sister, Darcy, and brother, Kaedon, Willberry was extra keen to see multiple smiles on this ‘Willberry’s Wish’.

Of course, Doris, Hannah’s miniature Shetland, was a must, just the right height for Esmae to have special pony cuddles and feel her silky mane.  Mmm, but who else could come to the party?!  Vicki kindly offered Bilbo, their beloved pony whom Hannah used to teach at Pony Club, PERFECT, though Willberry wasn’t sure how Bilbo would feel about coming out of retirement!

Everything was planned and Kelly (Esmae’s mum) thought it may be easier for Esmae if we went to their house in Langford………. but then the rain came, the forecast was dismal, and Esmae really doesn’t like rainy days anymore, so we had to work fast and find a solution because Willberry simply couldn’t have Esmae, Darcy and Kaedon disappointed.  He had promised.  All the equine centres were booked in the region, so Willberry put his hoof senses to good use and did a recce of Langford to find a school at the University of Bristol, Langford Vets.  They very kindly let us use their indoor school which saved the day – thank you to Steph and all at University of Bristol for being so kind and generous.

The rain was pouring as Esmae arrived with her family, but everyone perked up when we went into the school.  Doris and Bilbo waited excitedly to meet everyone.  Esmae was so brave – the sand in the school was a little uneven but nothing was going to stop her from touching the ponies.  What an amazing little girl – her senses so in tune, her hands touching Doris, she felt her mane and then wanted to feel Bilbo.  Darcy was very nervous of the ponies, but Kaedon wasn’t.  He was full of energy and then decided he liked running, so began to run around and around the school.  Soon he thought it would be more fun to race a pony!!  Now Doris loves a race ...

                                      

 And Esmae didn’t want to miss out either!

Willberry brought a lovely picnic, so after a number of snack breaks it was always quickly back to the ponies.  After a while, Esmae thought she would like to sit on the ponies, first Doris and then Bilbo.  Doris’s walk was a bit forward going and she preferred Bilbo’s laid-back attitude. 

She enjoyed every minute with the ponies, going from one to another, feeling, touching, smelling, and then riding.

Esmae is an amazing, unstoppable, courageous little girl; we are so pleased to have been able to bring lots of smiles for you and your family 💓

Thank you to Victoria Clare Photography for generously joining us and taking such beautiful photographs, and to Vicki and Jayne for giving up their day and allowing Bilbo to join the party! 💓💓

Willberry had some help from his super duper patron Kitty King Eventing for an extra special Wonder Pony project today!

It was time to award the incredibly special Hannah Francis Award to the inspirational young eventer, Fin  at none other than the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials.

Fin can only be described as a superstar - successfully bringing on her own, and clients, young horses all whilst supporting her mum who was diagnosed with cancer and overcoming challenges faced at school. Hannah would be SO chuffed to see Fin awarded her special bronze 

CONGRATULATIONS FIN 

A HUGE thank you to Kitty for her unwavering support, and for taking time out of the competition - Team Willberry have our fingers, toes and hooves firmly crossed for tomorrow!

Finally, additional thank you's must go to Hannah Cole Photography for the great snap  and Amy Goodman. Sculptor & Portrait Artist for creating the gorgeous bronze of Hannah  

#inspiredbyHannah 

Seven-year-old Dylan is pony mad.  Ponies are his life, and he was off competing almost every weekend, until earlier this year when he began to feel unwell.  After six months of misdiagnosis, it was confirmed that he has Ewing Sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer which mainly affects children and young adults.

His mum Jessica wrote to Willberry asking if Dylan could have a Berry pony in the first instance, but Willberry was determined that he could do something much more than that for little Dylan.  When he asked Jessica if he had any special wishes, she said he would love to go to the London international Horse Show, and if possible, sit on Santa’s sleigh.

This was definitely something that Willberry could help with, as the organisers of the show have been so helpful with wishes in previous years, we were hopeful that they would be again.  Well of course they needn’t have worried, they were incredibly helpful and the wheels were all set in motion for the big day...

Dylan arrived first thing with his Mum Jess, they were both so excited and headed straight to the shops, the shopping at The London International is huge and they were not disappointed!

Dylan and his Mum went to the afternoon performance on Saturday and could not believe the show, The GS Equestrian Pony Club Mini-Major, The Kennel Club Large Dog Jumping Grand Prix, Devil’s Horsemen, Shetland Pony Grand National and so much more….. Dylan loved it and was so full of energy when it had finished, amazing considering he had received treatment only the day before.

Willberry met Dylan and Jess after the show with the lovely Fiona from The London International Horse Show, and we went to find Father Christmas.  Father Christmas greeted Dylan and asked him if he would like a ride on his sleigh, well of course Dylan was up for that!  Pulled by two beautiful horses, Dylan and Father Christmas shot off around the arena……..WOW!

Now on to the backstage tour, Dylan was off like a shot speeding off on his crutches – straight to the Shetlands.  Dylan helped Vera feed some of the ponies, and even got to meet ‘Duble’ his favorite.

Dylan went around the stables stroking noses and then to his delight on his way out, Dan Delsart had brought the amazing ‘Granby’ out to see him.  Willberry couldn’t believe how tall he was -  ‘Granby’ was a giant!  Dylan had had lessons with Dan on his own pony before he became poorly.

Dylan was incredibly still full of energy when Willberry said his goodbyes - Dylan you are one tough little boy so keep #kickingcancersbutt ❤️ 

Molly’s Mum Anita contacted Willberry in the Spring of this year as she was deeply touched by Hannah’s story and wanted to come to the stand at Badminton to say hello with her 8-year-old daughter Molly.  Molly had recently relapsed with leukaemia, and although her little pony Jimmy Choo was keeping her spirits up, she was still struggling this time round with the illness.

Willberry immediately wanted to give her something amazing to look forward to and asked Anita if Molly would like a special treat as a Willberry Wish?  Molly said she would love to go to the London International Horse Show, and once again Willberry knew he could make this wish come true!  Before long, thanks to the help and support of the organisers at London, they soon had planned for Molly and her family to make the trip to the best horsey Christmas show on earth!

Molly was so excited to meet Willberry and couldn’t wait for the show.  In the morning Molly and her Mum and sister Charlotte did some retail therapy to later be met by her Dad to enjoy a family surprise.  Willberry met Molly and her family with the lovely Fiona from The London International Horse Show, and we went to find Father Christmas.  Father Christmas greeted Molly and to everyone’s surprise invited them onto his sleigh, pulled by two beautiful horses.  Molly’s smile was huge.

Molly and her family then went backstage and what a sight as Le Regiment de Cavalerie de la Garde Republicaine went past on their way the main arena!  Before Molly had time draw breath, we were off again, this time to meet Merrylegs who is retiring after Monday’s performance in the Shetland Grand National.  Merrylegs is one of the smallest racing shetlands in the team at 39 inches, and it was obvious that he immediately took a special shine to Molly. Vera managed to gather all the jockeys from the Shetland Grand National team together to meet Molly, which was very special, giving Molly a signed programme from this year’s team.  The tour was rounded off with a beautiful rosette from a competitor in the 148 class.

Finally, after so much excitement already, it was time for the performance itself, and what a spectacle it was!   Molly had the most amazing time and enjoyed the special magic that is always created at the London International Horse Show.

Our very special thanks go to the team at London International Horse Show, Fiona, Wiggy and Megan.  We would also like to thank Fiona who photographed some very special moments for us.

Molly, Willberry has loved meeting you and your family, you are amazing, keep #kickingcancersbutt ❤️