The unimaginable has happened to a young family from Kent. Emily Long, a vibrant 40-year-old mother, has tragically lost her life to an aggressive and swiftly spreading cancer, just days after first receiving the devastating diagnosis.
Her husband, Benji Long, is now facing life as a sole parent to their four heartbroken children: 13-year-old Matilda, 10-year-old Isaac, 7-year-old Jude, and 3-year-old Elijah.
A Life Full of Love, Cut Short
Described by all who knew her as the beating heart of her family, Emily's sudden decline has sent shockwaves through her community. What began as severe back pain was rapidly identified as cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and ferocious bile duct cancer that had already metastasised to her liver and lungs.
The speed of her illness was breathtaking. From her first hospital visit to her final breath, only a handful of days passed, leaving her family with no time to process the horrifying news.
A Community's Outpouring of Grief and Support
In the wake of this profound loss, friends and neighbours have mobilised to support the grieving family. A fundraising campaign was swiftly established to alleviate the financial pressures on Benji, allowing him to focus on his children.
The campaign has already seen an incredible surge of donations, a powerful testament to the love and esteem in which Emily was held. These funds will help secure the family's immediate future and cover the costs of her funeral.
A Husband's Heartbreaking Tribute
In a moving tribute on social media, Benji Long laid bare his grief. "My world has been ripped apart," he wrote, capturing the utter devastation felt by his family. He poignantly described Emily as his "best friend and an incredible mum", whose absence has left a void that can never be filled.
His words paint a picture of a woman whose entire existence was dedicated to her family, whose laughter and love were the foundation of their home.
A Legacy of Love and Strength
Emily's story is a stark and heartbreaking reminder of cancer's cruel and unpredictable nature. Her memory lives on through her four beautiful children and a husband determined to honour her strength.
As the Long family navigates this darkest of chapters, they do so surrounded by the warmth and support of a community united in grief, determined to ensure Emily is never forgotten.
