Many thanks for taking time to read this.  I will keep it as brief as possible.

On 13 Dec 17 my 16 year old son Jack was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma;  a cancer of the blood that causes white blood cells to act abnormally around the body and cause malignant tumours to randomly develop and grow.

Now, although I have heard in the distant past of Lymphoma, I was really unaware of Lymphoma and its causes and consequences.  Considering the diagnosis was the fallout from visiting the GP for help with a football injury, we are fortunate inasmuch we have caught the disease in its very early stages of development, and prognosis is rather positive.  I dread to think of the consequences if Jack had not injured his shoulder during that 5-a-side game.

Whilst this was understandably devastating news for him and our family, Jack was immediately put under the care of Dr Andrew Davies at the University Hospital Southampton (UHS) who happens to be the UK lead in lymphoma treatment and research.  Jack is now undergoing fortnightly chemotherapy sessions at UHS, which does lead to serious bouts of nausea, considerable fatigue and generally feeling very unwell.

The treatment plan means he has had to drop out of college, where he was enjoying studying motorsport engineering.  He is also starting to lose his hair, which as his father, is one of the most upsetting things I have ever had to helplessly watch.

We have received much pastoral support through the Divisional Chain, RN/RM Welfare, Chaplaincy and civilian charities including CLIC Sargent, who immediately offered Jack a grant to put toward anything that would assist him during his treatment and subsequent recuperation.  This is a grant that is offered to every young adult who is diagnosed with cancer.

CLIC Sargent also fund family accommodation near and close by some of the major hospitals in the UK, whilst supporting the Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) Centres.  The direct and immediate support they have offered and given us is immense, and the reason we as a family have pledged to support through any fund raising activity we can. 

There are 11 children and teenagers diagnosed with cancer every day, and I am sure many of you will have personal experience of this.  We have set up, through CLIC Sargent, this page to allow donations to what is for us, the most worthy of causes, and ask you all to please donate whatever you can to help other youngsters who will experience similar trauma as Jack is experiencing right now.

I also appreciate some of you will already give to cancer charities through various means including GAYE in your monthly pay, and for that I thank you.  It is these donations that help the fight against cancer, and help all, not just youngsters, to lead a reasonably normal life as possible.  It is also these donations that mean cancer can have a positive outcome, and in the case of Jack and Hodgkin Lymphoma, produce a highly likely cure.

A good friend of mine described cancer as a bully who does not like being stood up to.  I think he is right but we need your help to ensure we can continue to stand up to it for the many who will be diagnosed in the future.

I apologise, as I did say I would be brief, but thank you for reading this far, and thank you whole heartedly for any donation you can offer.  I also hope you never have to experience this disease yourself, or watch your child be treated for the disease.  However if you do, please rest assured there are organisations such as CLIC Sargent who selflessly endeavour to support you all the way through such treatment.

As this is a plea for fund raising, I am more than happy, and encourage you to push this cause through Face Book, Twitter and any other social media you happen to use.  Remember this is not necessarily about Jack – his future is hopefully bright.  This is about helping those who will be diagnosed with cancer today, tomorrow and onward into the future.

If you would like any further information, I am more than happy to assist, so please ask via any of the email addresses or mobile numbers below.  If you have gone through or are going through similar experiences please get in touch.  As a parent living and breathing this right now, I am better talking about it, but really struggle when left alone.  Jack, as the patient, is far more focussed and positive than I could ever have imagined.  We lean on each other, but he is absolutely fearless. 

Kind regards and best wishes for 2018.

Matt Newman

My contact details are:

Mob: 07792 451019

Email Pers:  mattynewman@sky.com

Useful Links:

CLIC Sargent

Lymphoma Association

Southampton General Hospital TYA