Oh......hello. I didn't see you there, I like your hat....it's funny, I was thinking about you the other day - anyhoo, while I've got you reading this I might as well tell you why I want you to donate to the Teenage Cancer Trust. To support them I'm doing a bike ride starting at Lands End (right at the bottom of Cornwall) to John O'Groats (right at the top of Scotland) this August! Not a walk in the park when you haven't ridden a bike in years and spent the last six months getting no exercise whatsoever.
A bit about what happened to me
Some of you will know that last September I was diagnosed with a malignant tumour in my brain. I had a violent fit out of the blue which was terrifying. I then had an operation (while I was awake - even more terrifying!) to remove most of it. This was followed by trips to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge every day for six weeks where I was fixed to a table (see pictures) while they zapped radiation into my head. Not a very nice experience.
That was my story but the next bit is the most important...
The money I want to raise is for the Teenage Cancer Trust to help young people aged13-24 diagnosed with cancer.
Being told you have cancer is not just a shock, it's life changing. I know you've all heard the cliches like, "you just can't explain to someone who hasn't had it", but they're true. We're not trying to keep you out of our club - it's a rubbish club. Cancer changes the way people look at you and the way you feel about yourself. The worst thing about it all is that you're powerless. Each day you will notice something that's changed - it might be that no-one is asking for your help anymore or all of sudden it seems like the whole world feels sorry for you.
Now take yourself back to your own teenage years....I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only person reading this who found that time of life difficult. Situations like being dumped, problems with friends and studies at school may seem trivial now, but back then they seemed like the most important thing in history and your parents didn't understand. And then you get diagnosed with cancer...how do you cope?
What the Teenage Cancer Trust does with your donations
The TCT are building units especially for young people being treated for cancer so they can meet new friends and support each other. They might have a pool table, Internet access, dvds and computer games, as well as offering a specialist team such as Youth Supporters. They receive NO GOVERNMENT FUNDING, everything relies on donations from people like YOU. Their aim is to build enough units so that by 2012 EVERY teenager can be treated in one. If you would like to know more you can go to this link http://www.teenagecancertrust.org/
Get your hands in your pockets!
When you are deciding how much to donate please think of these things:
1. The distance I'll be covering on a push bike
2. If you're male: how much money you'll probably p*ss up the wall (or on whatever your vice may be) this weekend or up until August...
3. If you're female: how much you'll probably spend in Topshop (other clothing outlets are available!) from now until August...i.e a whole new summer wardrobe...
So I ask that you work out what you would spend on your night out/shopping session/binge of whatever and put your hand in your hypothetical pocket to sponsor me NOW!
All my best wishes,
James Brandon
