Tribute to Lizzi Brazier, Secretary & Member Liaison Trustee

It is with enormous sadness we share that Lizzi died on 21st April 2024. She was peaceful and surrounded by the love and devotion of her wonderful family.

Lizzi with husband Jon and grandchildren Cora, Riley, Arthur and Henry

Lizzi has been at the centre of our charity since its inception in 2019. In her roles as Secretary and Membership Liaison, she touched each and every one of us with her loving spirit, positivity, and humour. Her empathy for others and her optimism lifted us when we felt low, and she will be missed by so many in the group.

During the early days of Covid, Lizzi suggested starting online coffee mornings, which became very popular and showcased her warmth and ability to bring people together. Jenny, our co-founder, said, "I think we've found our charity secretary!"

Lizzi did more to make the EGFR+ charity and the Facebook group a success than anyone. Embracing, connecting, and setting the right tone for a group of people who have nothing in common other than having been diagnosed with an incurable condition would be a tall order for anyone, but she did it, and did it in the only way she knew how – by being Lizzi. She was insistent that right up until the end, she personally welcomed every one of the now over 750 new members into the group, continued to run the Coffee & Chat sessions, and was always present at our in-person events.

Lizzi was incredibly warm and welcoming and unflinchingly honest. Being diagnosed with EGFR+ is terrifying, overwhelming, and riddled with an incomprehensible and entirely new language. Lizzi painstakingly, and painfully, described every detail of her scans, treatments, diagnoses, prognoses, and the drugs she was on, for the entire group to see. Seeing someone else publicly stumbling, making their way, just as confused as you, but also finding hope, successful treatments, and continuing to go on loads of holidays and enjoy life to the full was invaluable.

Lizzi was irrepressibly positive and optimistic. She showed how important it was, whatever else was happening, to keep embracing the here and now, the simple pleasures of life day to day, and none more so than her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Lizzi was also pragmatic and had a great line in black humour. She often joked that if there was a side effect going, she would get it. She posted photos of horrible hospital food, views from her room, and her signature nails. She dealt with the progress of her disease with resilience and hope and would be saying to us now, "Don’t linger here, get on with it!"

Our condolences to Jon, Laura, Helen, Rachael, their partners, and to her adored grandchildren Cora, Riley, Arthur, and Henry.

Sail free now, Lizzi. You are at peace, and the world feels less bright today without you in it. All our love, xxx

Angela Terry, EGFR+ UK Chair, and Richard Warren, EGFR+ UK Strategy Advisor

Some of the heartfelt messages from our members:

"Her warm and welcoming spirit shone through and has ever since. Lizzi inspired us all to celebrate life right through to the end. RIP sweet Lizzi."

"Lizzi was one of the first people to respond when I found this group and was reassuring and kind when I really needed it. Lizzi was very special to everyone; she was so kind to me at the conference in Birmingham. She was funny, sweet, and a beautiful soul."

"Everyone in EGFR Positive UK is feeling the loss of Lizzi. She was a special person with so much love, understanding, and knowledge. She made me feel so welcome at a time when I really needed to have support. I thank her family for sharing her with us."