Nicky West’s dream is being followed by family, friends and those she inspired in her life; through Nicky’s Whisper, her voice is still heard.
In life, Nicky worked hard to tell people about Cystic Fibrosis and to raise money to fund gene therapy. Nicky knew gene therapy would be too late for her, but wanted to help those with CF younger than her and save them the pain and troubles she had to endure.
Through Nicky’s determination and the wonderful support people have shown to Nicky’s Whisper, over £200,000 has been raised in Nicky’s name.
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is now at a stage that Nicky would have longed to see; it is embarking on clinical trials for gene therapy for Cystic Fibrosis. The first pilot study begins in February 2009 will involve 27 young adults with CF. They will each have one dose of the gene therapy product - the trial is estimated to finish in the summer of 2009.
Once the results have been analysed and assuming that there have been no adverse effects the Cytic Fibrosis Trust will be embarking on a Phase II clinical trial (involving 100 patients) in 2010. It is estimated that the results should be known in 2012.
This work is complex and expensive and Nicky was passionate about raising funds for it - right until the day she died. She would have been so excited to know that she can still inspire so many people to raise money for a cause that meant so much to her.
This money and her amazing efforts in the last few months of her life have made a huge difference. Please continue to support Nicky's Whisper.
Nicky’s Whisper
Remember me as someone who laughed
Who lived in the present and not in the past
When you think of illness, don’t feel sad
Just remember the good that came from the bad
Remember my voice and songs that I sang
And speeches I gave to help people understand
I lived life to the full and had no regrets
All I ask now is one last request
Follow my dream and spread the word
And through Nicky’s whisper I’ll still be heard
Nicky West 1974-2004
