London Marathon 2019
Toby Bentley is raising money for Young Lives vs Cancer
Participants: Emily Pasquale, Chris Bentley, George Bentley, Nikola Kamlerova
Story
Toby, Emily, Chris, George and Nikola are all running the London Marathon to raise as much money for CLIC as we possibly can!
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In April 2017, Toby was diagnosed with stage 3/4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. The tumours were predominantly in Toby's neck which had narrowed his airway to 4mm wide. The doctor explained that he needed to begin treatment immediately. It was a very stressful and worrying time.
On his first cycle of chemotherapy he never wanted to be a burden to anyone, so described it as 'chemo and chill'. However, it was quite the opposite. The sickness and the pain all over his body, all the while waking up to find more hair on the pillow is not something anyone should have to go to, especially when you are 23.
A very hard moment throughout the treatment was 2 months in when he was told that the chemotherapy hadn't worked. It was so difficult to hear, and it was very hard to stay positive at this stage. They put him on a much more intensive treatment, but he had no choice. Or in Toby's words 'let's just get on with it'. I wouldn't be able to explain it in writing, but every day I was somehow shocked and hated seeing what he was going through.
On the day he was given the all clear, we were all so happy, but even when I arrived at hospital he was throwing up in his chemo ward, and I realised he still had a long way to go.
He then had radiotherapy for a few months, and needed four blood transfusions. Getting back to 'normal' life has been really difficult after being in hospital nearly every day.
He has been so brave, and there are many other patients who we met who still are having such a difficult time dealing with cancer. Together, we can help.
We were both given so much support to get through this, from our amazing family and friends, and we can't thank the hospital and charity more as they were there for us throughout the whole journey.
Thanks so much,
Emily
About CLIC Sargent:
When cancer strikes young lives CLIC Sargent helps families limit the damage cancer causes beyond their health.
Cancer doesn’t discriminate. Today, 11 more children and young people will hear the devastating news that they have cancer. From diagnosis, CLIC Sargent’s specialist care teams will step in, ready to help, support and guide. They will provide a specialist package of support tailored to each young cancer patient and family.
CLIC Sargent fights tirelessly for children and young people with cancer, often when they feel they can’t. We do this individually, locally and nationally, so that they can focus on the important things, like getting well. And if the worst happens, we will work with bereaved families to get them support, to help them cope with their emotional pain.
A single gift...
- £15 could pay for one copy of CLIC Sargent’s DVD to help families where a child or young person has died of cancer to understand and cope with their grief.
- £25 could help pay for an hour of a CLIC Sargent Nurse’s time, so that they can coordinate clinical and non-clinical care for children with cancer, to maximise the amount of time they can safely spend at home, and ensure that treatments can be given closer to home where possible.
- £50 could pay for three hours of a CLIC Sargent Play Specialist’s time, so that they can help a child prepare for and cope with treatment, by using models, toys and photos to explain what will happen.
- £75 could help pay for three hours of a social worker’s time. They will aim to meet children and young people with cancer, and their families, soon after diagnosis and help them to understand and cope with the emotional, practical and financial effects of cancer, through treatment and beyond.