Two very brave young people - Sam (aged 4) and Lauren (aged 19), have recently been diagnosed with Leukaemia.  As a friend to both their fantastic mums, I have felt extremely powerless.  For that reason, I decided to enter the Taunton Half Marathon and raise some money for their chosen charity - CLIC Sargeant. 

Please support this amazing charity and Samuel and Lauren by donating today.  Their stories are shown below, please take the time to read them. Very many thanks

Lauren's Story 

 

Every day 10 families are told their child has cancer.  

 

A shocking statistic but we all read the magazine articles, perhaps watch the heart rending documentaries on the TV and feel sorry for the families going through such an experience never for a minute thinking that it will ever happen to your family.

 

On Friday 20 August 2010 at 17:08 our 19 year old daughter heard the words from a consultant that would change her life forever “I’m sorry to tell you Lauren that you have acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)”. Our world stops as we stare at the consultant in shock and disbelief not quite sure that we have heard him correctly. We ask him to repeat it in the hope that he will say something different but its not to be and we dissolve into tears. We go home for the weekend with lots of literature to read and our heads spinning with lots of questions about what happens next. Lauren had a central line fitted on Wednesday 25 August and started her chemotherapy straight away. She has a long way to go as her treatment will take just over two years to complete but we are hopeful for a positive outcome.

 

We became aware of CLIC Sargent about a week after Lauren’s diagnosis when she was visited by their local representative based in Musgrove Park Hospital. They are informed when a child is diagnosed so they can offer information and support almost straight away. They are on hand as little or as often you wish, never intruding but always there if needed. Their website is invaluable with lots of information and a dedicated area where young adults like Lauren can chat to others in the same situation who will understand what they are going through and offer extra support.

 

Like all worthy charities CLIC Sargent is constantly fundraising so it can continue to help families who need it. I never thought I would need them so please sponsor Catherine as your donation will make a difference.

Samuel's Story

On the 19th July 2010 I took Sam to his GP to have a look at a bruise on his arm which had a lump in it. He was looking a bit 'peaky' too. Within one hour we were at Musgrove Park Hospital having blood tests; within 3 hours I was informed that there were high levels of abormal white cells in his blood and this was very likely Leukeamia.

The next day we were transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and Samuel was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukeamia. Treatment started immediately.

For health and safety reasons, the hospital only allows one parent to stay in the hospital overnight. However, our CLIC Sargent social worker came to see us to offer us accommodation in one of their houses for the duration of our stay in Bristol. This allowed one of us to stay in the hospital with Samuel and the other to have a good nights rest before swapping shifts the next day. Without this accommodation, one parent would have had to drive from Bristol to Taunton every day. This accommodation was completely free of charge and immaculate. The running costs of the house for 2009 were £97,000. We were also advised that we could use this accommodation for family who wanted to visit. This was a Godsend at the most difficult times I have ever encountered.

Within a few days we were allocated a social worker who gave us lots of literature and offered support emotionally and financially. Our social worker continues to work with us for as long as we need her.

Back home, treatment continues for another 3 years. CLIC Sargent provide us with nurses who come to the house to take blood weekly and to administer certain chemotherapy. This means that we do not always have to travel to Musgrove for simple things. Samuel also continues to go to nursery one morning a week and the CLIC Sargent nurses arranged to see the nursery to discuss his needs whilst in their care. They will also go along to nursery to take bloods if necessary.

I cannot stress how important the nurses and social workers are to us as a family and the initial help with the accommodation. For us, there cannot be a more worthy charity to support; a charity that unfortunately you may not know about until you need them.