Denise Greig, who is battling stage 4 terminal cancer, fears her dream trip to Mexico could be dashed
A terminally ill mother who could have just a year left to live fears her dream of a family holiday to Mexico might be shattered by soaring travel insurance costs, after being quoted an eye-watering £5,000 for cover.
Denise Greig, who has been valiantly fighting breast cancer for more than 10 years, was devastated to learn the disease had become incurable after it spread to her bones. With an uncertain future, the 51-year-old from Nottingham is eager to create as many lasting memories as possible, with a trip to Cancun high on her list.
However, the business adviser’s hopes were dashed and she was brought to tears upon discovering the exorbitant quotes. Denise said: “It could well be my last holiday. I just burst into tears when I saw the prices. It’s costing the same as another person to travel – we’re basically paying for another person to come on holiday and I might not even need it. I just knew we wouldn’t be able to afford it.
“They’re stopping people from having these holidays and building memories because people can’t afford it. It’s just so unfair. I’ve got so many places I want to visit before I die – and insurance is going to be through the roof.”
Denise was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, after her concerns were dismissed for nearly two years despite her mother dying from the illness aged 50. She went through the ordeal of chemotherapy, a mastectomy and radiotherapy, determined to survive for her sons – Luke, 17, and Alex, 14.
Tragically, the cancer resurfaced in Denise’s other breast in 2021, ushering in yet another round of intense treatments. Then last March, a broken leg revealed the devastating news: the disease had metastasised to her bones, leaving her with stage 4 terminal cancer.
Describing the devastating realisation she wouldn’t see her children’s future, Denise shared: “It just felt like the end of my world. To know I’m not going to be able to see my kids grow up – I’ve got certain milestones I want to reach. My eldest is 18 in September, I want to hit that milestone.
“My youngest is 15 in October. I want to hit that and I want to see Christmas through. I just give myself little timeframes. It’s just a complete waiting game as to what’s going to happen. It’s a death sentence.”
Now receiving chemotherapy every four weeks, Denise is pouring her energy into cherished moments with her partner John, whom she married this May, and their two sons. A dream trip to Mexico was part of these treasured plans, but now the heartbroken mum is anxious she may have to abandon her “family-moon” goal, reports Nottinghamshire Live.
Despite planning the family trip in January and facing hefty insurance premiums costing at least £1,300, Denise’s health uncertainties could rob them of this upcoming October holiday. Sadly, her distressing predicament is one shared by too many in similar straits.
Cancer charity Maggie’s previously warned that people are increasingly being “priced out” of holidays abroad due to “extremely unfair” travel insurance costs. It added that patients and individuals with a history of the disease were often quoted premiums amounting to thousands of pounds, while some were outright denied cover.
Chief executive Dame Laura Lee said: “We know how stressful a cancer diagnosis can be, and the last thing people should have to think about is inflated insurance costs when they should be focused on recovering from treatment and living well with cancer.
“Travelling and taking holidays can be so important for someone’s wellbeing and recovery, and it is extremely unfair that people with cancer are being priced out of the opportunity to visit family and friends abroad or simply explore the world.”
The mum was taken aback when she first saw the prices. She revealed: “I thought the travel insurance was going to be £500 or £600. One of the quotes I was given was well over £5,000. I need cancellation cover, so when I add that, I’m sure it will go up even more.
“I just started crying because I knew we wouldn’t be able to afford it. Why do they charge so much? Places like Mexico are on many people’s bucket lists when they’re facing the end of their life. It’s where people dream of going. It’s heartbreaking. The costs feel like exploitation.”
Denise is now raising funds to help her family afford the travel insurance for what could potentially be her final holiday later this year. Click here for her GoFundMe page.