In loving memory of Eric Ravey
Fabienne Boukobza-Ravey is raising money for Willow Foundation
In memory of Eric Ravey
Story
Soon after Eric was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma cancer in April 2011 we were kindly given the name of The Willow foundation by someone who was also closely affected by cancer.
Eric was just 40 years old then when I contacted the foundation. It did not take long to get our request approved. Eric spent a lot of time choosing and planning that special event. It gave us something positive to look forward and helped us to go through the first couple of months after the diagnosis.
Eric chose Longleat Centre Park as we had never been there before and he wanted to do outdoor activities with the boys, Jeremy who is now 6 and Tom who is now 2. He also wanted to enjoy the swimming pool and the slides.
Eric chose to go mid-July, by then he had 5 cycles of chemo which made him feel back to "normal", he was very fit and keen to do lots of sports and eat well to gain some weight and energy for the surgery planned later.
Our special event in Centre Park has been a very precious moment for Eric and all of us and we are very grateful to the Willow Foundation.
Below are few words that Eric wrote afterwards to the team at the Willow Foundation:
“Thanks a lot for this Special Event in Longleat Centre Parc.
I have not got the right words to describe how fantastic it was. Cycling in a safe environment for the whole family was very good. Tom (my 18 month-old son) especially enjoyed the panoramic views on my bike and we all managed to look at the scenery around the site a couple of times. Crossing the lake with the pedalo and swimming in the wave pool with the children was really great. Thanks to your activity vouchers, Jeremy (my 5.5 year-old son) really enjoyed fencing, building a bird nesting box and participating to the archery kid competition as well.
I really appreciated what you have done for us. Going on a holiday trip as a 'normal family' was a wonderful feeling.
You cannot imagine how we as a family came back home happier than before the event.”
At several occasions during the last 8 weeks of Eric's life that he spent in hospital we talked about that wonderful time we had and how we appreciated every second of it.
Eric fought the disease how much as he could, he decided to do a heavy surgery in order to increase his chances to live longer. On the 7th November 2011 90% of the cancer were successfully removed, but unfortunately 9 weeks after the surgery he was admitted to hospital due to a bowel blockage. During that time Eric never lost his hope to start again the chemo in order to continue reducing the disease and get it one day under control.
However during these long 8 weeks in hospital Eric could not eat or drink so he could not get the energy back he needed to start the chemo. He wasn't given the opportunity to start again his fight against cancer which I have no doubt he would have won if he had been given the chance.
Eric was a very optimistic person and the Willow foundation is doing a fantastic work to support that optimism that young people diagnosed with critical illness need so much to help them keep going. Nobody should ever loose faith and hope and these special days will never be forgotten.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. 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.
Eric will always be in our hearts, he is still the one giving us the courage to go through this difficult time. On his behalf we would like to thank you for your support and donation.
Fabienne, Jeremy and Tom