Story
Updated on Aug 31st 2011 at 10:54 PM from the JustGiving API
Dear all. For several reasons (recent family issue, work pressure and need to push sponsorship towards target) the jump is postponed for a few weeks. I will confirm new date ASAP. Thanks for your kind donations so far!
Updated on Jun 11th 2011 at 7:18 PM from the JustGiving API
A massive thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far!
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is the Autumn of 2008.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taylan is the eldest son of Andy and Figen. An important part of a blissfully happy family which was completed by his doting brothers Kaya and Altay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span></strong><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many of you reading this, like myself, will be parents (or grandparents, uncles, cousins......)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our kids are our world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We take every day for granted and I am sure that Andy and Figen did too. That is until 24th October 2008. I vividly remember hearing the news and speaking with the two of them on that day. Taylan was six years old - a year younger than Ollie, my eldest son, is now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The news they received that day would change the family's life forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taylan had a brain tumour - a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (or as Taylan understood it a lump in his head which the doctors were going to fix).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To say I was devastated is frankly an insult to how Andy and Figen felt but, in a comparatively small way, I and other parents shared their pain.</span></span></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">From that day on the two of them tirelessly read and researched - desperately looking for that cure. Hoping. The positivity they maintained in the face of adversity was incredible. Taylan was amazing. Never a complaint. Full time school during radiotherapy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always a smile. As charming as ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Andy and Figen's monumental efforts continued it became clear that the treatment options were limited and the firm evidence and research was not yet there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More time and money was needed - but time was sadly not on their side. Or that of other children and families going through the same pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Despite an amazingly positive spirit and strength of character during his brave battle, Taylan very sadly passed away in the loving arms of his ever-supportive family on 19th August 2009.</span></span></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I simply can not put into words the admiration I have for Andy, Figen and the boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I empathised regarding their situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still feel so saddened writing this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children and their parents should never have to go through this pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I for one also felt so helpless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am very aware that it is a cliche, but if we can all pull together and save even one more family it would be worthwhile.</span></span></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></strong><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Selflessly, Andy and Figen, along with friends, subsequently founded Taylan's Project which</span></span></span></strong><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> has been raising funds for Brain Tumour Research 'Funding the Fight'.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charity events including balls and fun days have raised much-needed funds, but the battle continues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I have decided to offer my own support in a small way.</span></span></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, I detest heights and I'm not too good on planes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, what do I decide to do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a flight in a plane and then jump out of it. Brilliant. It is a testament to Taylan and the Brain Tumour Research Charity that I am considering this - but, seriously, I want to honour his memory and if we raise a HUGE sum of money then all the better.</span></span></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="http://www.taylansproject.com/"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">www.taylansproject.com</span></a></span></strong></p> <p><strong><em>As Brain Tumour Research puts it.....</em></strong></p> <p>There have been tremendous advances over the last fifteen years, but even now, newly diagnosed brain tumour patients and their families don’t know:</p> <ul> <li>Where to go for help</li> <li>Where to go to find the information they need</li> <li>and most importantly, can’t find the words they want to hear<strong> “There is a cure… it will be alright”</strong>.</li> </ul> <p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">LET'S CHANGE THAT TOGETHER.</span></strong></span></p> <p> </p>