Colin Duffus
Brave 2023
Fundraising for Friends of ANCHOR
Story
After weeks of feeling increasingly unwell and being treated for muscular issues I was given a blood test and told to report immediately to ARI. I was diagnosed with advanced stage Burkitts Lymphoma in April last year. It was devastating news and the doctors explained that the first challenge was to get me strong enough to undergo chemotherapy. This involved stays in ICU , hours of kidney dialysis and a host of other treatments .
A four month programme of intensive chemo followed and I can’t thank the doctors, pharmacists , nursing staff and all those who looked after me during that time. They were simply brilliant. Inevitably there were some bumps along the treatment road and I couldn’t have got through it without the support of my family, my friends and my employer. They all encouraged me in different ways either through visits or messages. To them all I say a huge thank you .
I continue to attend the Anchor Unit as an out patient and was surprised but very honoured to have been asked to participate in Brave Catwalk to raise funds for the new Anchor Centre due to open later this year. I must admit I have never seen myself as a model (and I doubt if anyone else has ) but there have been so many firsts for me these last twelve months. The event at the Beach Ballroom on 4 and 5 May is already a sell out.
The Anchor Unit and Friends of Anchor have been such an important part of my treatment journey and I simply want to do anything I can, not only to say thankyou to them but also to ensure that others will be able to benefit from the vital support that has helped me so much.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
