As most of you reading this will know, Andy passed away suddenly in January 2011, aged just 48, just a few weeks after a late diagnosis of a rare type of cancer - a neuroendocrine tumour.
Andy loved life (check out the skateboarding video on the left!) and had many plans to enjoy the future, after leaving British Gas/Centrica after 30 years service in December 2009.
The NET Patient Foundation is a small charity that supports patients with a NET and promotes awareness and research for this awful, rare disease (less than 1% of all cancers) that takes away loved ones too early.
Last June some friends and I organised a charity golf event which raised over £7,000 for the charity and was a great excuse for all Andy's friends and family to get together to remember him. Some progress of how the funds have been used (thank you everyone who donated!) are:
- A booklet has been produced that helps answer questions for patients and family of those diagnosed with a NET. This can be viewed via the attached link: http://www.netpatientfoundation.org/2012/02/high-grade-nets/
We are repeating the event this year on 23rd June, but if you cannot attend, you may wish to donate via this web page.
BACKGROUND:
Andy passed away peacefully after a late diagnosis of this rare cancer a few weeks before his untimely death on 22nd January 2011, aged just 48, after being treated for backache, sciatica and similar symptoms for several months. His sudden death was a huge shock and loss to myself, his sons Harry and Scott (aged 16) and his large family and wide circle of friends.
The cruel facts of NETs is that over 90% of NET patients are initially treated for the wrong disease and a correct diagnosis is not usually made until the cancer has spread. (Andy was treated for backache and sciatica, before being referred for abdominal scans the month before his death, when the large tumour was discovered). This charity uses a moth as it's logo, to symbolise this 'camouflaged' condition, as when you see an insect beating it's brightly patterned wings against a window, don't assume it's a butterfly...it could be moth. Through their awareness campaigns the charity aims to encourage medical professionals to consider uncommon alternatives (i.e. a NET rather than an IBS?) when making a diagnosis. Hopefully with increased awareness by the medical professionals, new sufferers will be diagnosed and treated earlier, with a better chance of surviving; 53% of all cancer deaths are caused by the rarer cancers. The c£6k raised will help fund this campaign and hopefully make a difference to others in the future with earlier diagnosis.
By donating via this webpage, you will be supporting the research and awareness to hopefully prevent others from the same fate as Andy.
Love from Julie, Harry and Scott
XXX
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page
