Updated on Jul 13th 2012 at 7:58 PM from the JustGiving API

Evening all - thank you for the recent donations and comments - really appreciate both. Get closer to target of £4k and we have some money not confirmed yet to come in. Will keep you updated. Cheers G x

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

On Sunday 1st July I will be taking part in the Shenstone Fun run along with my friends from Shenstone Pathfinder FC and hopefully mu wife Nina

I'm therefore looking for any kind donations of sponsorship to support a local charity close to my heart - the Young Persons Cancer Unit at QE2 in Birmigham.

As my close family and Friends will be aware in 2008 I was diagnosed with an extremly rare form of cancer of the parotid gland (approx only 400 cases a year and in those cases normally elderley people). I underwent 20 hours of surgery in 3 seperate operations and 6 weeks of daily radiotherapy. One of the hardest things to deal with post op was being left with facial palsy. 

My life aided by my wife, my young son Cole, a new addition on the way, a return to my place of birth Brownhills and my close familly and friends seemed to be back on track until I contracted swine flu over the new year in Jan 11 which led the consultants to diagnose out of the blue that the cancer had returned and had taken up residence in my lungs - there are no real cases of such facial cancer ever moving to the lungs and I suppose the term is 'I'm unique and special'

Unfortunately the prognosis which came with the finding was that the cancer was incurable and I was given an estimated life expectancy of up to 12 months with a programme of treatment aimed at containing the cancer for as long as possible to maximise my life.

Unfortunately at the same time as my diagnosis in 2008 my elderly father John was also diaganosed with incurable cancer and has also since this date being fighting hard alongside me - my heart goes out to my mom Maureen.

Since January 11 I have spent numerous weeks undergoing weekly chemo treatment at the QE2 and following further growth of the tumours I'm now seeking a 3 opinion in London.

With my own determination and the support of my wife Nina, close familly and a great network of Friends I have managed to exceed this 12 month life expectancy and I'm fighting hard to be here for as long as I can and enjoy as much of a normal life as possible with my family, work and my love of football.

However my daily battles continue and it is clear that that my life will be short but I certainly intend it to be actioned packed and enjoy my 2 young boys grow up for as long as I can.

Now enough of me and rightly so and now you know my background this is the most importnat part of the message . . .

However, hard my life feels at times and periods where despite my continual optimism and positivilty I feel sorry for myself, Im always humbled by the numerous people I come into contact with that have the same if not worse dialy battles.

One such set of people are the fabulous young people I have come into contact with at the Young Persons Cancer Unit (YPU - ward 623) at the QE2 hospital in Birmingham who I have had the pleasure so to speak in spending time with them during my various treatment programmes on the ward or in the adjoining ward.

The young people aged between 15 - 24 tackle there various conditions and daily battle with cancer without fuss, without moaning, with great dignity and so much positivity - some of whom at such an early age are facing huge battles including a premature end of life.

Unfortunately during my time at hospital I have seen 3 young people sadly lose there lives and I'm always touched by there stories and the support that they offer me as an adult visitor of there ward.

I have spent time both on the ward (due to shortages in adult beds) and in the adjoining adult ward and I have to say that whilst I admire all the people I have spent time with on the adult ward they have on the whole been far less positive and more bemoaning of there situation than the young people I have come into contact with - some of whom have had to return immediately after there release for a break during there treatment due to infections meaning that barring a couple of days at home they spend weeks on end in hospital, others who have lost limbs and whose life will always be scared either physically, mentally or both with there early experiences of such a deadly disease.

The young people and importantly so there parents are greatly helped during there time on the ward and during these difficult times by the excellant and caring staff and the efforts of the Teenage Cancer Trust who fund raise to ensure that these young people and there carers have the best possible and comfortable supported stay.

The efforts ensure that they are able to continue with there studies, have access each to a telly, games station, Sky TV, internet, books, games and DVD's, there own kitchen and rest room, accomodation for the parents and friends to stay over, music lessons, special evenings and continual activities - the list goes on.

Without the hard work of the staff and the Teenage Cancer Trust none of this would be possible and without doubt this does help to give the young people some normality, hope, support and benefits in helping them to tackle there daily battles and harsh treatment programmes. 

Therefore on the 1st July I will be proudly taking part (hopefully alongside my wife Nina) in the 10k Shenstone Fun Run to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust with the money being targeted at the QE2 Teenage Cancer Unit - a great cause and one hopefully you can see is close to my heart and continual thoughts.

Due to the present woresning position with my health I will be largely walking and I have to say that this will be no mean feat but one I'm determined to take part in and complete - for anyone who knows me I'm a never say never type of person and will be willed on by the young people many of whom I have made good friends with.

I have what I thought was an ambitious fund raising target of £500 but I have been overwhelmed since first announcing my plan to take part in the run with the support and promised donations that I'm now hopeful of surpassing this sum.

My good Friends at Shenstone Pathfinder FC have also agreed to give me a contribution from there fundraising activities at the run to as well.

Therefore if anyone would like to sponsor me and Nina I / we would be extremely grateful and any help very much welcomed

All support however much small is welcomed as is anyone who is able to share this page and spread the word about the great work of the charity, the staff and more importantly the plight of these young local young people.

Thank you for all the support and best wishes I continue to receive and thank you for taking the time to read this story.

Best wishes

G x

 

 

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