My story

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Here is my story.


On Tuesday 28th July 2009 my dad, David Averell Rosenberg died of Pancreatic cancer. 

 

At a family lunch in London on Saturday 25th, it was clear that he was in dire health so he was admitted to UCH A&E. On Monday 27th, they found he had advanced pancreatic cancer, with secondaries in his lungs and liver. He fell into a coma that night before they could tell him of the diagnosis, and he died the next day. He was surrounded by his family, and the room was full of love and the music he was so passionate about. It was (and still is) a terrible shock for us all.


My family are Jewish, and during the mourning period, the men grow a beard - a physical manifestation of their grief. As a non-religious Jew (and a woman!) I felt quite frustrated in the months that followed my Dad's death that I didn't do anything physical to mark what has happened. I also wanted to do something to raise awareness and money to fund research for Pancreatic cancer. So my boyfriend Dave and I have decided to raise £5,000 for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund (http://www.pcrf.org.uk/index.html) - and during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Week next year (probably mid November 2010) we'll shave our heads. 


I'm not a runner (I can't do the marathon thing), but I wanted to do something that would test me. Anyone can sit in a bath of baked beans. Anyone who knows me knows that I am passionate about fashion - perhaps too passionate! My hair is a very important part of my 'look' - it's basically my permanent accessory. Plus, as a woman, my hair is an important part of my femininity. So there's absolutely no doubt that this will be difficult for me. But I'm determind to do it. After all, I'm lucky enough that it'll grow back. Others aren't so fortunate.   


To put Pancreatic cancer into perspective:
Forty years ago few children survived childhood leukaemia. Now the survival rate is 80%


Forty years ago only 46% of women diagnosed with breast cancer survived five years or more. Now that figure is also 80%


Forty years ago 3% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survived five years or more. That figure is still 3%


The problem with Pancreatic cancer is that it's so difficult to detect, so by the time it is diagnosed, there's very little that can be done. But with research, hopefully the boffins can find some way around it. Already there is an operation that can be done if the cancer is detected early enough. 


Pancreatic cancer seems to be the black sheep of the cancer family. Not many people know about it, and those who do know it to be severe and unrelenting. Hopefully with research and raising awareness this can change. Years ago, cancers like leukemia and lung cancer were feared almost as highly as pancreatic cancer. Now, thanks to funding research and raising awareness, the survival rate is growing daily. I hope in years to come, the same will be said for pancreatic cancer.

My boyfriend Dave is also shaving his head in support. This is a team effort, so please support him too! 


>>>UPDATE
22/10/09
Thanks to The Spencer Hart Charitable Trust and the over whelming generosity from friends and family in the first SIX days (!), Dave and I have decided to raise our target to £3,000. We'll still shave our heads next year after raising £2,000 but it would be amazing to surpass our original target and reach £3,000!

>>>UPDATE
11/11/09
After a matched fundraising donation of £500 from Future Publishing (and at just £455 to go), Dave and I have decided to raise our target to a FINAL £5,000. It's the target I initially mentioned when we were discussing this project anyway. I'm so thrilled we've managed to raise so much in such a short space of time and am confident in the support of our friends and family that we'll reach that last target in the next 12 months. Thanks ever so much everyone!

5/01/10
Thanks to Yvonne Neville-Rolfe who worked with my dad in the 80s and 90s in West Herts hospital, and kindly donated offline.
  

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.


My charity

Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund

Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund

Charity Registration No. 1103253

Despite a 3% survival rate, pancreatic cancer has been little researched in the past. So there's been no improvement in 40 years. Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund is a new, dynamic charity dedicated to defeating the disease through cutting-edge research into early detection and new treatments.

Donations 293

windmill.png

Well done, both of you! You've done an amazing thing. x

Donation by Cat Hackforth on 02/12/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

windmill.png

Well done to you both, I have nothing but admiration for you!

Donation by Jen Campbell on 02/12/10

smiley-lone.png

Witnessing this was totally inspirational and truly memorable. You are awesome people, Both, and you make me feel so proud. 'Mummy Maureen' xxx

Donation by maureen rosenberg on 01/12/10

£200.00

+ £56.41 Gift Aid

windmill.png

Dear Sarah and Dave, we are so proud of you both and know that Dad would have been too. Dad knew that Dave was going to be good for you!xxxxx

Donation by UM and AR on 01/12/10

£300.00

+ £84.62 Gift Aid

windmill.png

Donation by George Walter on 01/12/10

£15.00

+ £4.23 Gift Aid

smiley-lone.png

Admirable, awesome… and not at all like Britney! Well done to you both :)

Donation by Justin Towell on 30/11/10

£10.00

windmill.png

Well done Sarah, you are an inspiration to us all.

Donation by Rebecca Roundhill on 30/11/10

£10.00

windmill.png

Well done Sarah! Inspiring stuff! God bless xx

Donation by Laura Davies on 29/11/10

windmill.png

from the Campus PR gang, with huge admiration x

Donation by Jo Kelly on 29/11/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

windmill.png

Donation by Richard Hood on 29/11/10

£5.00

+ £1.41 Gift Aid

windmill.png

Nothing compares 2u

Donation by Mark White on 29/11/10

£5.00

+ £1.41 Gift Aid

windmill.png

From Chris Phin

Donation by Chris Phin on 29/11/10

smiley-sunglasses.png

Love from Bea!

Donation by Bea on 29/11/10

windmill.png

Well done you two!

Donation by Richard Patterson on 28/11/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

windmill.png

You look gorgeous, but of course! As if there's a hairstyle (or lack of!) that you *couldn't* rock, stylish lady!

Donation by Sophie Mason on 28/11/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

windmill.png

Well done!

Donation by Kierann Shah on 28/11/10

windmill.png

You're both an inspiration. x

Donation by Jane Toft on 27/11/10

£5.00

+ £1.41 Gift Aid

windmill.png

Brave, mad woman! Like your style and Dave's willingness to participate.

Donation by Sigridur Grannell on 27/11/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

windmill.png

Donation by Dominic Ede on 27/11/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

windmill.png

Love you, you're amazing! x

Donation by Erin Goff on 27/11/10

£100.00

+ £28.21 Gift Aid

windmill.png

Congratulations on raising so much, and good luck for tomorrow - sorry I can't be there! x

Donation by Emma Davies on 26/11/10

£15.00

+ £4.23 Gift Aid

windmill.png

Well done both!

Donation by Rich Chamberlain on 26/11/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

windmill.png

Go for it. Sarah - your Dad would be so proud. My Dad also died from pancreatic cancer and I'm really impressed by your tribute.

Donation by Lynne Pattison on 26/11/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

windmill.png

You guys have balls. Well done!

Donation by Stephen Lawson on 26/11/10

windmill.png

Donation by James Stables on 26/11/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations$9,830.52
  • Offline donations$1,986.84
  • Text donations$0.00
  • Total raised$11,817.36
  • Gift Aid$2,347.63

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.