Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

In memory of our brother and friend Alex Read, we want to raise as much money and awareness for the Bone Cancer Research Trust as possible. Their aim is to improve outcomes for people with primary bone cancer through Research, Awareness, Information, and Support. The BCRT do truly amazing things across all these areas but can only continue to do so with donations.

On January 1st 2013, Alex was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. For the next three months, he underwent intensive chemotherapy to try to shrink the tumour to an operable size, but it did not respond to treatment. It was then that we had to face the idea of amputation. Alex had the operation in April 2013, having his right arm and shoulder amputated. He continued to have treatment for the tumours in his lungs, but in January 2014, doctors told us there was nothing else they could do for him. Alex passed away on 13th March, aged 14.

On the weekend of Alex's anniversary this year, we will be making rather a large change to our appearances - shaving our heads. We’re taking on this somewhat daunting challenge not just to raise money for the great work of the BCRT, but also to show a small part of what Alex and other bone cancer patients have to go through. Being able to wake up, style our hair, and have such control over our appearance is something many of us take for granted every day. Losing this control will be as much a part of our challenge as the actual event, but will give us a greater respect for and understanding of what Alex dealt with. Your support will be invaluable and enormously appreciated. Please donate what you can, and share this page. We also have a text donation number - text EDHS99 £1, £2, £3, £4, £5, or £10 to 70070

Alex fought bravely, always with a smile on his face, never once asking, "Why me?" His courage, determination and thirst for life are a constant source of inspiration and strength to us all. If Alex can be brave, then so can we. We know he’ll be there with us.

Love Eleanor and David

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. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.