Edward Wilson, a communications consultant from Somerset, is organising a charity truck pull to raise awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms after his wife Sophie died within 12 hours of their hospital wedding.
Sophie, a hairdresser from Dorset, began experiencing stomach pain, bloating and abnormal bleeding in early 2019. Initially diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, further tests revealed a potentially cancerous cyst on her ovary. She underwent surgery to remove the cyst followed by low-dose chemotherapy as a preventative measure.
Despite treatment, Sophie’s cancer advanced over five years to affect her womb, other ovary, bowel, pelvis and abdomen. By November 2024, her condition had deteriorated significantly, and she entered end-of-life care.
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In a poignant decision, Edward and Sophie married in her hospital room on November 11, 2024. The ceremony took place at 12:30am with battery-powered candles and a celebrant, as Sophie’s health quickly declined. She passed away just 12 hours later, aged 29, surrounded by family.
Edward described the grief as overwhelming, leading to significant weight loss and a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Through therapy and medication, he has begun to heal.
To honour Sophie’s memory and support others affected by ovarian cancer, Edward is organising a truck pull fundraiser along Bournemouth Promenade on October 10. So far, he has raised over £12,000 for Target Ovarian Cancer, a charity dedicated to early diagnosis, research, and support for those impacted by the disease.
Reflecting on his motivation, Edward said, “I want to help people not go through what she did because it was not nice.”
The couple met in 2015 via a dating app while Edward was studying at Bournemouth University. They began a long-distance relationship before living together in 2019, the same year Sophie first exhibited symptoms later identified as ovarian cancer.
Sophie underwent surgery and chemotherapy in 2019, initially showing no detectable cancer. However, by 2022, the disease had progressed, necessitating a total hysterectomy. The treatment’s impact forced Sophie to leave her job as a hairdresser.
As symptoms worsened, further scans in 2024 revealed stage 4 cancer. Despite aggressive chemotherapy, the disease became terminal.
Edward proposed in Sophie’s hospital room days before their wedding, surrounded by family who celebrated the moment with balloons and a small gathering.
After Sophie’s passing, Edward struggled profoundly but has found purpose in his fundraising efforts and sharing Sophie’s story to aid others facing similar battles.
His Thai green curry recipe, a dish that reminds him of Sophie, is featured in Legacy Kitchen, a cookbook supporting those who have lost loved ones.
Donations to Edward’s fundraiser are being matched by the Z Zurich Foundation, further supporting Target Ovarian Cancer’s mission to improve outcomes for women with this disease.