This page has been setup by our family to give something back to the Royal Marsden who treated Charlie for testicular cancer over 3 and a half years.
Charlie's Story
Charlie was diagnosed with testicular cancer in October 2012, aged 30 and was treated at the Royal Marsden for three and a half years.
Unfortunately, the symptoms were unusual and by the time he was diagnosed the cancer had spread to lymph nodes in his chest, neck, and stomach.
Charlie was incredibly stoic and brave throughout, undergoing 25 rounds of chemotherapy, three stem cell transplants, 75 cycles of radiotherapy, four major operations and three rounds of immunotherapy.
He relapsed in May 2013 but by November 2013 was given the all clear, and, in January 2014, flew out to Australia to marry his wife Jess on a beautiful summer’s day in Sydney. Sadly, he relapsed for a second time and was told he could no longer be cured.
Charlie took the cancer in his stride. Despite the pain associated with operations, chemotherapy and other treatment, he never complained. He was incredibly strong-willed and had such a desire to live, despite the odds being stacked against him. He managed to extend his life by two years due to this determination.
In February 2016 he moved to Charing Cross Hospital to try immunotherapy, an extremely experimental drug with no history of being treated on testicular cancer patients. Unfortunately this treatment did not work and Charlie lost his battle with cancer on 11th May 2016 at Royal Trinity Hospice. The hospice provided Charlie with a warm and dignified end to his life.
About The Royal Marsden
Charlie never gave up, nor did the Marsden. Together they contacted experts worldwide and have tried different treatment and are now trying radiotherapy for him. He is put his body through this all in spite of being told it has extremely limited chances of success. He was treated by an incredible team of professors, doctors and nurses at the Royal Marsden in Sutton and in Chelsea. It is an absolutely amazing hospital which provides world-class cancer care to those treated by it.
Testicular cancer is a relatively curable cancer now thanks to huge advances in treatment techniques over the last 30 years. However, as Charlie's case has shown us, the treatment is harsh and there is still a long way to go before it is completely curable.The purpose of this page is to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity so the hospital can continue to provide outstanding care to other cancer patients and to support its cancer research efforts so that one day comprehensive cures are available for all types of cancer.
The Royal Marsden is aworld-leading cancer centre, providing treatment and care for more than 50,000 cancer patients every year. It is also at the forefront of cancer research. Its work influences how all cancer patients are treated and cared for, not just in its own hospitals but all over the world. The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity supports this pioneering work. Thanks to its supporters, it is able to help The Royal Marsden continue to push boundaries and raise standards of excellence.
When people support the Marsden, they help everyone who benefits from the work of The Royal Marsden. Scientists searching for cures. Doctors who depend on the latest cancer treatments and technologies. And, of course, cancer patients and their families.
About Just Giving
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 to this fantastic cause.
Event Archive
Cricket Balls to Cancer, charity cricket tournament at Sendholme Cricket Club,18 May 2019 http://cricketballstocancer.co.uk/
Cricket Balls to Cancer, 20 May 2017
Balls to Cancer charity ball at Wellington College, October 2014
Becky Edelman, Sarah Morgan and Chris Ball ran the London Marathon (8 April 2014)
Lizzie Young and Jo Jerrard Dunne take on Henley Half Iron Man (8 September 2013)
Allen and Kathy Young, David and Barbara Wyers, Sue and Alan Rymer and Chris and Mike Grundy complete Marsden March (17 March 2013)
