Sandra Manson
Peter and Sandra Manson Head Shave 1st April 2017
Fundraising for The Archie Foundation
Story
Peter will be getting his hair and beard dyed various colours in the last week of March then on 1st April gets the hair and beard (which he has had since forever?!!) shaved off. Sandra is getting all her hair cut off (and donating the hair) and head shaved.
We are raising money for The Archie Foundation in Aberdeen as a thank you for the dedication and care given to our family members that are there.
Please read... 
❤ written by Paula Manson x
Glad to see this on TV and being shared on Facebook.
Retinoblastoma is such a rare disease that most folk haven't heard of it and wouldn't recognise the warning signs. It affects young children, mainly under the age of 6 years. Only around 50 cases are diagnosed in the UK each year.
We noticed James's disease in the same way as this family. At first we saw the white glow in James's left eye in many photos and assumed it was a reflection of the camera flash. It was when we noticed it in dim light, without the camera, that we realised something was wrong.
We took him to our GP and she immediately put in a referral to the ophthalmologist at the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital. 11 days later we were in Aberdeen and our suspicions were confirmed - he was believed to have Retinoblastoma. However, we were surprised to learn that it didn't only affect his left eye with the visible glow but also his right eye.
Just 3 days later, on Thursday 3rd November last year, James had an eye examination under anaesthetic (EUA) at the Birmingham Children's Hospital. The specialist Retinoblastoma team confirmed his cancer diagnosis and performed his first laser surgery. He was just 3 months old. The surgeon explained his aims for James:
1. To save his life
2. To save his left eye (his worst affected one) 3. To save the sight in his right eye.
His treatment plan was developed straight away and the process began the following week with the insertion of a Hickman line and various tests to check James's body could cope with chemotherapy, along with his other health problems. On Monday 14th November James went through his first course of chemotherapy.
Every month he goes through the process of chemotherapy in Aberdeen as well as a trip to Birmingham for an EUA and surgery. Having recently had his 4th round of chemotherapy, he's now 2/3 of the way through that part of his treatment. The EUAs in Birmingham (and any necessary surgery) however, will continue regularly till he reaches 16 years old. Retinoblastoma is a childhood cancer but, as with other cancers I assume, it means a lifetime of being hyper-aware of signs of other cancers.
Awareness is key. In saving lives, eyes and sight. We hear all the time about the warning signs of other cancers but I've never been aware of a poster or leaflet about Retinoblastoma anywhere (until now). It's rare but it's still real.
The Chilhood Eye Cancer Trust website explains Retinoblastoma, its warning signs and its treatments really clearly.
Not shared for sympathy but understanding and awareness. 
💛
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