Andy Cripps passed away suddenly in January 2011, aged just 48, just a few weeks after a late diagnosis of a rare type of cancer - a neuroendocrine tumour.

See tribute video below which gives you a snapshot of Andy - a father to Harry and Scott, husband to Julie and a loved brother, son and friend to many.

https://youtu.be/7oh6CHFt3TE

Neuroendocrine Cancer UK (formerly NET Patient Foundation) is a small charity that supports patients and promotes awareness and research for this awful, rare disease (less than 1% of all cancers and 39% of NC patients are initially wrongly diagnosed).

Since Summer 2011 Andy's friends and family have supported charity events raising over £35,000 for the NCUK (including direct donations not made through this site).

2024 UPDATE:

Fundraising continues thanks to close friends making donations or through funds raised from various fund-raising events. In 2021 Dipesh Patel, ran the “VitalityLondon10k” where he raised £1588 as well as organising another golf event / competition which raised £540 this year through the Syder Cup team, who have also held annual charity golf events since 2022. Andy’s close friend Dipesh Patel plays for the Merchy team (who play for Rory Merchant who passed away with MND). They’ve retained the trophy for the last three years, raising over £4000 for NCUK.

Funds raised have so far been used towards:

- A booklet has been produced that helps answer questions for patients and family of those diagnosed with a NET.

- Andy's Story also appears on the new interactive GP desktop tool to help raise their suspicion that certain symptoms could be Neuroendocrine Cancer and encourage referral for investigation.

BACKGROUND:

Andy passed away peacefully after a late diagnosis of this rare cancer a few weeks before his untimely death on 22nd January 2011, aged just 48, after being treated for backache, sciatica and similar symptoms for several months. His sudden death was a huge shock and loss to myself, his sons Harry and Scott (aged 15 at the time) and his large family and wide circle of friends.

The cruel facts of Neuroendocrine Cancer is that over 90% of patients are initially treated for the wrong disease and a correct diagnosis is not usually made until the cancer has spread. (Andy was treated for backache and sciatica, before being referred for abdominal scans the month before his death, when the large tumour was discovered). This charity uses a moth as it's logo, to symbolise this 'camouflaged' condition, as when you see an insect beating it's brightly patterned wings against a window, don't assume it's a butterfly...it could be moth. Through their awareness campaigns the charity aims to encourage medical professionals to consider uncommon alternatives (i.e. a NC rather than an IBS?) when making a diagnosis.

Hopefully with increased awareness by the medical profession, new sufferers will be diagnosed and treated earlier, with a better chance of surviving; 53% of all cancer deaths are caused by the rarer cancers. The money raised to date has helped fund this campaign and hopefully make a difference to others in the future with earlier diagnosis.

By donating via this webpage, you will be supporting the research and awareness to hopefully prevent others from the same fate as Andy.

Kind regards

Julie, Harry, Scott ... and Dipesh XXXX

Thanks for taking the time to visit Andy’s JustGiving page