NEED TO KNOW
A woman with leukemia planned her wedding in just five days after doctors told her no more treatment options remained
She sadly died weeks later
“It was emotional, of course, but it was also just a really beautiful day,” the woman’s best friend recalled of the wedding
A woman facing terminal cancer planned her wedding in just five days so she could marry her partner, “the light of her life.”
The woman’s best friend, Katie Powell, shared the emotional story in an essay published on April 21 by the British nonprofit Blood Cancer UK. Katie recalled how her “hilarious, loyal and brave” friend, Alana Matthews (née Kent), fell ill at the end of 2023 with what she thought was simply “a bad flu.”
“It was that time of year when everything is going around, and it didn’t seem unusual. But she couldn’t shake it off,” Katie noted.
Alana Matthews
Credit: Blood Cancer UK
Alana went to the doctor twice and was told it was the “back end” of a chest infection and nothing to worry about. However, by early February of 2024, she still had not gotten better. Katie remembered walking with Alana and noticing that she was out of breath and couldn’t keep up.
Then, in an alarming update, Alana’s partner, Charlie, messaged Katie the next morning to say that he’d had to call the paramedics overnight because Alana was struggling to breathe. She was rushed to the hospital, where she would remain for the next six months.
Alana Matthews and Katie Powell
Credit: Blood Cancer UK
Alana was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (or AML), a blood cancer, and her case was deemed “aggressive.” She then underwent three months of chemotherapy, eventually going into remission.
“We had about four weeks that summer where things felt almost normal again,” Katie remembered. “She even graduated from university with a first.”
Alana Matthews
Credit: Blood Cancer UK
But sadly, Alana’s cancer came back that September, and she went back into the hospital to resume treatment, including participating in a clinical trial in Manchester, England.
“Throughout all of it, we all stayed as positive as we could,” Katie wrote. “It was always ‘when this is all over, we’ll do this’ and ‘when you’re better, we’ll go there.’ Alana used to speak like that, as well.”
After another remission, Alana’s cancer returned for a third time. She did a “really intense” course of chemotherapy, but by July of 2025, doctors told her that no more treatment options remained.
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Alana Matthews
Credit: Blood Cancer UK
Katie recalled being inspired by Alana’s courage and determination amid the ups and downs of her journey with leukemia.
“Alana was very small and petite — she was someone you looked at and just wanted to wrap up and protect and look after,” she wrote. “But the courage and bravery she showed was unbelievable. Honestly, she’s my hero.”
In her essay, Katie described being by Alana’s side in the hospital, playing “so many” games like Uno and Monopoly Deal. The two friends also spent a lot of time reminiscing about past adventures together, including a memorable trip to Budapest when they “barely saw the city” and instead “sat in bars and laughed the whole time.”
Alana Matthews with partner Charlie and best friend Katie Powell
Credit: Blood Cancer UK
Faced with the devastating news from doctors that there was nothing more they could do, Alana decided to marry her partner, Charlie, whom Katie said was “the light of her life.”
The couple arranged their impromptu nuptials in only five days.
“It was emotional, of course, but it was also just a really beautiful day,” Katie wrote of the wedding. “Alana was exhausted, but she powered through. Even if she’d been getting married in different circumstances, I don’t think she’d have done it any differently. I think it was her perfect wedding, and everyone just wanted to make it perfect for both of them.”
By the end of September, Alana’s health had begun to rapidly decline. “We stayed with her as much as we could,” Katie wrote. “And in October, she passed away, surrounded by people who loved her.” Alana was 27 years old at the time.
Alana Matthews’ wedding
Credit: Blood Cancer UK
Since losing her best friend, Katie has raised thousands for Blood Cancer UK through an 85-mile walk from London to Brighton and a half-marathon.
“I needed to do something that pushed me mentally and physically,” she explained. “[Alana] went through so much — I felt like I could push myself too.”
Alana Matthews
Credit: Blood Cancer UK
Katie said she is sharing Alana’s story in the hopes that it will help others. She urged people to “trust your gut” when it comes to health.
“Alana went to the GP twice and was told it was just the flu or a chest infection. No tests were done. She knew something wasn’t right. If something feels wrong, don’t ignore it,” she wrote.
Katie added: “If Alana’s story can help even one person — whether that’s recognising symptoms earlier, pushing for answers, or just feeling less alone — then that’s something she would have wanted.”
Read the original article on People