RAISING MONEY FOR THE RUTH MYLES UNIT,ST GEORGE'S HOSPITAL, TOOTING

                                                                                                                  
The Ruth Myles unit is a 13-bed in-patient unit and day care centre which treats and cares for Haematology patients, and patients living with Haemato-oncology conditions such as haemophilia, sickle cell anaemia, and those requiring bone marrow transplantations

I am Chris Lewis, 52 years old, and I was diagnosed with stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma at St Georges Hospital, Tooting early in July 2007.  Following 3 months of chemotherapy, I was told that I would have to have a bone marrow transplant due to the seriousness of the disease

Fortunately, a donor was found from the Anthony Nolan Trust, and I was admitted to the Ruth Myles Unit in early December to have my transplant.  After 4 weeks of intensive treatment and undergoing the transplant I was allowed home to spend the next few months building up my immune system.  I am still visiting the day unit regularly for check ups, but thanks to the help and care of the staff I am starting to enjoy my extended life.

This experience has totally changed my life, and I would like to help others unfortunate enough to need similar treatment, in whatever way possible .  All money raised will go towards funding a much-needed "COBE Apheresis Machine" for the Unit.  This piece of equipment which is used to collect stem cells for bone marrow transplants, was integral in the treatment I received on the unit.  The unit would hugely benefit from the updated model which patients report is much more comfortable to bear during the treatment and speeds up the process considerably.  NHS funds provide one machine, having a second would mean that that more patients can be treated, with the experience being much quicker and more bearable.
 
Along with my wife, Sue, and our friends we will be fundraising for this piece of equipment with a rolling campaign of Fundraising Events, so WATCH THIS PAGE FOR REGULAR UPDATES OF FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES!!

I would like to thank Macmillan Cancer Support for the help they have given me with volunteering opportunities and retraining. Due to their continued support I am able to begin my new life, helping people unfortunate enough to be affected by cancer.

A Tribute to Diana Simpson
“Diana and I were both unfortunate enough to require treatment at St Georges Hospital, but fortunate enough to meet during that time.
We both had a bone marrow transplant on the Ruth Myles Unit in late 2007 and became friends from then on.

There were many ups and downs on our journey, but we had become soul mates, encouraging each other through the bad times and enjoying each others good times.
                                     
I consider myself very privileged to have met Diana and even though it was for a relatively short time she had a big impact on me. She was so unselfish and caring. Despite her own problems she spent so much time helping others.
             
Thank you for being you Diana, the world will be much poorer without you.”

UPCOMING FUNDRAISING EVENTS:  

Thank you to the guys at Renault Orpington They have kindly donated an additional £100!

A big thank you to Tracey & Chris at The Red Lion Pub, Bletchingley - Thanks to the generosity of them, their staff and customers an extra £170 has been donated to the cause!

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Fundraising Events so far…

Henley Half Marathon

On the 11^th October Aimee Smith successfully ran the Henley Half Marathon on behalf of St George’s. She has raised a brilliant £541 for the cause – thank you Aimee and well done!!

Adidas Women's 5K Challenge
Sara Samuel and Hilary Williams took part in the Adidas Women’s Challenge 2009 on 6th Sept. They raised £550 - a fantastic achievement. Thanks to the girls and those who supported us.

London 10k Run
On 12th July Simon Cunningham, Nick MacDonald, his boys James and Adam and I ran in the London10K. We managed to raise an amazing £1200!!!

3 Peak Challenge
On the weekend of 20th June my friend Martin and 6 of his mates conquered the Three Peak Challenge, which involved trekking Ben Nevis (4406ft), Scafell Pike (3206ft) and Snowdon (3560ft), the three tallest peaks in the UK, all within 24 hours.

Louisa Williams- sponsored swim 30th March 2009
Louisa, a Respiratory Physiologist atSt George’sHospitalsuccessfully embarked on a two mile sponsored swim in support of Chris’ fundraising initiative. It took her 2 hours to complete and managed to raise £129.08 with donations still coming in. Well done Louisa!! Thank you and to all those who supported you!!

Charity Curry Night at Panahar – 3rd November 2008
80 people enjoyed a private dinner at The Panahar. There was entertainment, fantastic food and good company, and fun had by all. In return for filling the restaurant, the management made an extremely generous donation to the charity of £800, making the total money raised on this evening a brilliant £945! 

Simon’s 10K run – October 2008
Simon successfully finished his 10k run in Croydon with 51 minutes, plus raising an extra £258!

Summer Fundraising – The Barbeque 24th August 2008.
Around 60 people enjoyed the good weather (possibly the only sunny day in August 2008!), good food and great company. With Sue and my lads at the helm and the support of our friends, the afternoon was an unqualified success!!

Due to everyone’s generosity, we raised just short of £750 for the afternoon, a fantastic effort!! Thank you all for your support.

Sue completes 10k run – 6th July 2008
Sue was amongst 25,000 runners in the London10k last year.  She finished in a fantastic time of 65mins! Over £2000 was raised - An astonishing effort from all concerned.        

Thanks very much for your donation, sponsorship and support,
Chris & Sue Lewis

(Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me:St George's Hospital Charity gets your money faster and, if you’re a taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.)