Sarah's Star
Sarah's Star supports people living with incurable and palliative illnesses, as well as their families and NHS health professionals in the North East.
We provide a wide range of holistic therapies including meditation, massage, reiki, art, music and beauty therapy, counselling, and yoga.
We also host death cafes and talks to normalise the conversation around palliative and end of life care. We work with local hospitals, schools and universities to reframe these topics and try and alleviate some of the fear that can be associated when facing an incurable or palliative diagnosis.
Sarah's Star was founded by Sarah Harrison, “I am hoping to make life a little easier for people who have been given an incurable or palliative diagnosis. I was initially diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age of 35 in 2016. I went through 7 months of pretty gruelling treatment, and thankfully, I went into remission. This lasted until the beginning of 2019 when I found out that the cancer had returned, as secondary breast cancer which is incurable. Although this was a devastating blow I tell myself that palliative doesn’t always mean your life is immediately over.
No two days are the same as on a good day, I am upbeat, I feel energised and full of hope for a life where I can make a difference. Sometimes I feel unstoppable with great passion for positivity. I feel so grateful for what I have in that moment, and I just want to help people like me to feel that they’re not alone. On a bad day I have feelings of uncertainty. Through talking to other people in similar situations I’ve learnt that we are all unique in dealing with our illnesses, there is no right or wrong way but having support and being able to support others can make it more manageable.
My biggest fear right now is feeling completely useless and that’s why I’m doing this, it’s an awful feeling! This disease can take so much away but at Sarah’s Star I want everyone to feel they are of some use. There are days we may feel we have nothing to give but even sharing that detail with someone could help them to realise that they are not alone in that thought and together we can keep shining through the dark times.”
We want people to feel purposeful and not let their illness dictate their happiness. We would love to welcome you to our community space at the Linskill centre and really appreciate your support.