Right, 

so I'm doing this because, after first (maybe second??) hand experience of this charity i can vouch that they are amazing and deserve all the funding possible. 

This time a year ago, my partner had not long finished his chemotherapy and was preparing for major surgery. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer (after about five visits to the dr's.) Pretty much as soon as he was diagnosed he had surgery to remove the tumor. Unfortunately it had already spread to a gland meaning chemotherapy was required and then after that didn't get rid of it, he was cut chest to abdomen to surgically remove what was left. 

As he was 20 at the time, he had the option of being treated with adult patients, or with the teenage cancer trust at Nottingham hospital. He chose teenage cancer trust and i honestly believe if this hadn't of been an option the entire experience would have been a lot more traumatic than it was. 

The staff were all amazingly kind and light hearted which helped more than you can imagine. He was able to have his own room, with an un-suit and a tv. There was also a common room with playstation's and tv's etc....basically things to keep you entertained whilst stuck in the hospital. 

I know, from what he said that it made a big difference to him as a patient, but from my honest experience as a loved one, the environment that the teenage cancer trust created made me feel a whole lot calmer, more positive and although it was difficult there were aways genuine kind faces around to reassure. 

Looking back the whole thing is a bit of a blur but from talking to other patients there and watching someone go through treatment, this is defiantly a cause that deserves any funding or donations that it receives. 

The diagnoses of cancer as a teenager/young adult is something that i can not even imagine having to go through but having someone so close to me go through it was a real eye opener. - Its so easy to ignore things that aren't directly affecting your life but as soon as they do it feels like everything is falling apart. Charities like the teenage cancer trust are so important as they give you that hope and reassurance which you really need in these times. 

I am shaving my head in respect and admiration for all of the young people out there who don't have the luxury of choosing what they want to do with theirs but instead have to watch it fall out because of this cruel disease. - I am going to look like my dads twin and probably get mistaken for a boy more often than not due to a bald head matched with my dress sense but if i can raise some money for this great organisation then thats fine with me.