The Stonehouse Family’s story

Dean’s cancer journey

Dean’s cancer journey began in May 2024 when he began to feel a bit under the weather. After undergoing several investigative tests, Dean, aged only 38 at the time, received the devastating news that he had cancer. He was referred straight to Velindre where he was told his cancer was Stage 4 and had spread to multiple sites in his body.

Dean began treatment at Velindre almost immediately, under the care of his consultant and Clinical Nurse Specialist, Ceri Davies. He underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but tragically, the cancer continued to spread. In October 2024, just four months after his diagnosis, Dean’s condition deteriorated. He passed away surrounded by his beloved family and with Amy by his side until the end.

The family room

Amy praised the personal care and support that the family received at Velindre and the one thing that made a massive difference to them was the charity-funded family room. For Dean’s daughters, Sophia and Leila, who were 11 and 13 when Dean was diagnosed, this dedicated family space was essential.

Michele Pengelly, Supportive Care Lead Nurse, wanted to help, so one quiet weekend she arranged for the girls to have a private tour of the hospital. Seeing where they dad would be cared for helped to make the hospital feel more familiar and alleviated some of their worries. Michele also arranged for them to use the family room during their visits.

The room, which is filled with toys, video games and comfy seats, gave the family the chance to step away from the busy clinical environment and spend quality time together in a space that felt friendly, comfortable and calm.

Dean and the family would sit and relax together in the family room. It was somewhere where Sophia and Leila could be themselves and for Dean, that was the most important thing. It gave the whole family a chance to switch off for a moment and just focus on enjoying each other’s company.

The family room also made a big difference to Amy and Dean’s parents, siblings, nieces and nephews who all used the room to see Dean. During the summer, the family enjoyed opening the doors to the room’s private garden and watching the kids play outside. It wasn’t just the children that enjoyed the family room.

Dean was always thinking of others and true to nature, he decided when he got better, he would fundraise for the family room to make the space better for other families going through a similar journey. Sadly, Dean didn’t get to carry out his wish, so Amy and his family decided to do it for him.

Dean’s legacy

Dean’s family, friends and colleagues think about him every day. He inspires his daughters’ love of music, history and especially football and they were ecstatic to see his favourite team, Newcastle United win the Premier League in March 2025—something that he would’ve been over the moon to witness. His colleagues at Mon Motors have also kept his desk for him with a touching sign that says, “Dean’s desk” hanging over it. One of Dean’s colleagues also ran the Newport Half Marathon in his memory.

Looking to the future

Velindre will always be a place close to Amy’s heart. She said the care and personal touch that she and Dean received whilst at Velindre, especially from Michele and Ceri, meant everything to them and she’d like to think she’ll know Michele and Ceri for life.

It’s hard to overstate the importance of having a dedicated family space here at the centre. The room provided Dean’s family with a sanctuary to spend quality time together during the most difficult time of their lives. It gave Dean the chance to see his daughters in an environment that was happy and comfortable, and it gave Dean’s daughters, as well as their nieces and nephews, the breathing space to be themselves and spend time with their beloved dad and uncle.