For those of you who didn't know Sean, he was a big man with a big heart who always had the time to listen to someone else's problem and help them out, regardless of his own situation.  For those of us who knew him we were the lucky ones, as he touched each and every one of us in his own inimitable way and although he'll leave a huge void in our lives, we'll always have the fantastic memories of our time with him.

Sean was diagnosed with Leukaemia way back in February 1995. The type he suffered with was only supposed to affect the older generation, yet he was diagnosed at the ripe old age of 33. The time came when he needed a transplant and off he went  to Birmingham & Coventry hospitals for specialist treatment (Chemotherapy & full Radio Therapy) in 1997, which really took it's toll on him, yet he always remained positive...he was going to beat Leukaemia, it wasn't going to beat him!  Things improved for a while until the news came...It's Back.  Undeterred he undertook a second transplant and again this seemed to be going really well despite the usual compilcations encountered with transplant operations.  Life went on and Sean always had that "I'm going to beat it" attitude...even when it returned for a third time in 2009.  Unfortunately treatment was very limited due to Sean's health and despite his positive attitude and best efforts of the medical teams he passed away in January 2010.

Throughout the time Sean suffered with Leukamia he spent a lot of time in hospital (most Christmas's too). During the last few months of his life he also relied very heavily on the Haematology department for blood transfusions just to keep him alive.  He knew the future wasn't very rosy but Sean was one of those guys who always laughed in the face of adversity.  During one of our many chats he said he wanted to be able to say thank you to all of those who had helped and support him during his fight with Leukaemia and also help future sufferers in their own personal battle.  Somehow we encroached on the subject of climbing Kilimanjaro.  My response to him was somewhere along the lines of; "Well if Chris Moyles can do it then I'm sure I can too".  And so my challenge had begun.

I'm aiming to climb Kilimanjaro and raise as much money as possible.  The trip will starts on 7th September 2011 and to give myself an equal chance of conquering Kili I'm climbing with the same people Chris and his mates used when they climbed Kili for Comic Relief.  I will be 46 at the time of the trek so this is going to be quite a challenge (and yes I am a bit on the mad side too), especially as I am so unfit at the moment.  However, compared to Sean's challenge this will be a walk in the park.

So please dig deep and sponsor me in memory of Sean so we can rebuild the Haematology unit at Northampton General Hospital. You don't have to wait until I complete the climb you can donate now...the sooner you donate the sooner your money can be put to great use.  Please don't forget to add GIFT AID to your donation if you are a UK tax payer because then we can raise even more money. 

Please pass this web address on to all of your friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances, neighbours.....you get the picture and ask them to sponsor me too.

Thanks for your support.

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

A Message from Macmillan Cancer Support

Help Us Build the Macmillan Haematology Suite

 

Macmillan Cancer Support and Northampton general Hospital NHS Trust have joined forces to create a state of the art Macmillan Haematology Suite at Northampton General Hospital.  Every year more than 650 people are diagnosed with, and treated for, haematological cancers such as leukaemia’s and lymphomas, at the hospital. This has meant that the demand for the current services & facilities at the unit have increased significantly. 

 

We need your help to raise £1.55 million to provide local people with a new Haematology Suite at Northampton General Hospital.

 

The 15 July 2010 marked the official launch of Macmillan Cancer Supports £1.55 million fundraising appeal in Northamptonshire for a new haematology unit at Northampton General Hospital.

 

Construction of the new haematology unit is scheduled to commence in January 2011 and should be completed by November 2011, all in Macmillan’s centenary year. Macmillan is working in partnership with Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. The total cost of the build will be £2.2 million.

 

The care provided within the current haematology unit is superb, but it just does not have the capacity to meet the growing demand from people needing chemotherapy locally for blood related cancers. The number of people newly diagnosed with these cancers has doubled since 2004 and the current unit just does not have enough space. So the environment of the new haematology suite will not only improve the treatment facilities significantly  for individuals undergoing chemotherapy but it will also provide a relaxed and welcoming environment for  individuals families an d friends who are supporting them through their cancer journey.