Tom's Story:
My best friend Tom, or as I called him, 'Davies,' was diagnosed with a brain tumour in December 2005. Following emergency surgery, he was allowed home for Christmas. He was admitted again on New Year’s Day to have more surgery after collapsing. Biopsy results confirmed that he had a rare malignant tumour that required four lengthy sessions of aggressive chemotherapy followed by six weeks of daily radiotherapy.

In June 2006, Tom was told he was cured of cancer. He was making plans to return to study in Cardiff University. Cruelly, just a week later MRI scans revealed that tumours had developed on his spine with no hope of a cure. His main worries at this time were about how his parents would cope with losing him and how his friends would cope with the bad news.  He even delayed telling his friends as he did not want to upset them but his parents persuaded him otherwise and they all rallied round. Despite the diagnosis, constant pain and paralysis from the waist down, Tom was always cheerful with his friends. Whenever I saw him in hospital, he was always upfront about his illness and discussed arrangements of how he wanted to die. A CLIC Sargent nurse assured him that pain control was possible at home, so he did not have to spend any more time in hospital. Once he was home he was pain free and his parents had no problems caring for him. The last two weeks of Tom’s life were spent at home, with both family and friends constantly at his bedside. He had friends round for little parties in the ‘beer garden’ to live up to his reputation as best 'Party Animal’ (as voted for in the Cardiff High School Yearbook, 2005). Tom was able to say goodbye to all his friends and receive the last rites in his own home.

Tom’s friends want to support CLIC Sargent because without their input he would have spent the last weeks of his life in pain and in hospital. His CLIC Sargent nurse cared for Tom and his family during all of his treatment and final relapse and made it possible for him to die at home peacefully as he had wished. Your contribution will make it possible for other young people like him to be supported during treatment and to have the choice of dying at home. Tom’s death at 19 years of age was a tragedy but he made it clear to us, his friends, that he wanted us to raise money for CLIC Sargent because they had cared for him. In doing so, my friends and I are running the Cardiff Half marathon on 15th October as he asked.

Donating through this site is very easy, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate: CLIC Sargent will receive your money electronically and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you.

To make a donation to the Teenage Cancer Trust, Tom’s other charity, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/tomjldavies

Please donate generously.
Many thanks for your support and thank you for visiting my fundraising page.
Andrew