Freddy's Story

This is Freddy. He is the son of family friends Sonya and Oz and brother to Stan. He is also one of almost 1800 children in the UK who are diagnosed with a form of cancer each year.

A healthy 16-year-old boy, Freddy had completed his GCSE’s earlier this year and had been looking forward to starting work over the summer . Freddy had got himself not one but two jobs, one working in a restaurant at the weekends and the other being a labourer during the week. Freddy has also been given a place at West Suffolk College in September to study Catering as the next stage on his journey to realise his dream of becoming a chef.

Freddy recently discovered a lump in his neck which had appeared almost over-night. Following a visit to West Suffolk hospital where he was kept in for further tests Freddy was then transferred to Addenbrookes hospital for more tests, Pet Scans and MRIs. This resulted in a cancer diagnosis on Freddy's 16th birthday. Subsequent investigation confirmed Freddy was suffering specifically from Hodgkins Lymphoma , a type of blood cancer. 

Accounting for 120 cases of childhood cancer in 15 to 19 years olds each year, treatment for Hodgkins Lymphoma mainly comprises chemotherapy which can be quite aggressive on young bodies that are still developing.

Thanks to the quick diagnosis by the teams at West Suffolk Hospital and Addenbrookes, Freddy has now been given the best chance of making a full recovery and started his first round of chemotherapy treatment on the 14th July 2021 on the C9 Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at Addenbrookes.

The Charity

The C9 Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at Addenbrookes hospital does a fantastic job of supporting children with cancer and their families, during what is a very difficult and emotional time.

By providing an environment where children and family members can stay such as bedrooms equipped with soft furnishings, bespoke furniture, TV/DVD and gaming facilities, dedicated wi-fi and laptops etc, the C9 Teenage Cancer Trust Unit try and make the stays of those young patients suffering with cancer and their families, as un-intimidating, comfortable and as close to normal as possible.

Additionally, the trust also directly fund two expert staff at the unit – a Lead Nurse and a Youth Support Co-ordinator.

This specialist unit relies on charitable donations to be able to provide the appropriate and specialist care and support to young people suffering with cancer and their families.

The Challenge

To raise much needed funds for this wonderful charity, I will be undertaking a 157km cycling challenge including 7,000 ft of climbing through the Brecon Beacons by taking part in the Welsh Dragon Ride sportive held on Sunday 26th September 2021. 

Whilst it'll be a tough challenge, it won't be anywhere near as gruelling as the treatment Freddy and others are having to undertake. 

How can you help?

I hope that by asking my friends, family and colleagues to sponsor me, together we can help the C9 Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at Addenbrookes continue to make a difference to the lives of children and teenagers like Freddy and his family.

Children and young people shouldn’t have to face cancer alone, and every £25 raised could pay for a young person to see a specialist nurse.

So no matter how small or large the donation I would be eternally grateful for your support – the more we raise, the more it will help me scale those Welsh mountains on the 26th September and more importantly, it really will help to make a difference.

I know that Freddy’s family will also be very pleased as it is such a fantastic ward and one that has already done so much for Freddy and his family and will continue to do so for many more months yet.

Thank you - your support really does make a difference.

Please click HERE If you’d like to find out more about the C9 Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at Addenbrookes.