Chapman, well known for her time at B&Q and Homebase, is mother of four boys and wife of Danziger market manager Matthew Skinner. She was diagnosed with gastric cancer this February. When Harkness Roses heard her story, it created and donated hundreds “Hope Roses”, with all proceeds going directly towards Chapman’s treatment.
Chapman said: “Honoured and shocked to have been able to pick and have a new rose named after me to support my cancer treatment. I hope this rose brings hope to all who grow her.”
On her Just Giving page she said: "At the end of 2024 I began having trouble swallowing so I was referred for an urgent endoscopy scan. On the 1st Feb 2025 it felt like a black cloud came over us, the doctor at this appointment found a 'nasty lesion”' and told me it was what he thought an early gastric carcinoma…stomach cancer in my cardia section.
"I was referred for a CT scan and after what felt like the longest 10 days of my life, on Tuesday 11th Feb we saw the consultant. We were told the cancer was aggressive and in my cardia, liver, lungs and lymph nodes. The doctor told us there was nothing he can do, surgery isn't an option and chemo may give us a bit more time but overall my life would be over within a year. Nothing prepares you for this news, my immediate thoughts were of my boys, seeing them grow up, marrying my fiancé and also how was I going to support my family financially.
"The nurse that was with us through this appointment has been amazing and has been speaking to my new consultant and discussing my options, she knows I will do anything. Unfortunately, I am unable to have any immunotherapy and the only option for me is palliative chemo, this only has a 50% chance of slowing things but will also nake me sick. I don't want to become a sick mummy.
"I refused to believe that was it and there was nothing in the world that could help me. So for the past nine months I have spent over £120k of your donations on supplements, treatments and two very expensive trips abroad to a clinic and hospital for alternative and bespoke bio immunotherapies.
"All of this means i am still here today against the odds but my fight continues. The bio immunotherpies are not avaiable in the UK and i need to have treatment every three months to give myself a chance at healing from this.
"Financially we need all the support we can get and we are so grateful for the donations we have received so far. Without you, I wouldn't be here today."
