Hi All

In 2010 my son, Ryan, was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. At that time I wasn't devastated as I just believed he would get better and survive. Even at the worst of times,and there were plenty of those, I  just didn't think there was any alternative to him surviving this disease. Maybe I was in denial or maybe I just couldn't allow myself to think anything else. If I gave up hope then so did Ryan.

During our first stay in hospital whilst Ryan got his chemo treatment we met Gillian, one of the Social Workers in the hospital. I was slow to open up to Gillian but as the weeks and months went on she became a great support to both myself and Ryan. We also had reason to engage the psychologists available and they did a wonderful job dealing with a problem Ryan had.

When Ryan was diagnosed terminal, my world shattered around me. Gillian was always there to talk to, still supporting both of us. The community play specialist, Naomi, brightened up Ryan's days. Without this kind of support available a families journey with cancer would be more harrowing than you can imagine. These people give hope and laughter in the small things and allow you to appreciate the important things. All these services are partially funded by CLIC Sargent and are invaluable to a family living with cancer.

Ryan passed away 18 months later in 2012, just a month off his 7th birthday. He fought a good fight and I am the proudest mummy to have a son as strong in character as he showed.

So I ask that you support CLIC Sargent in their venture to raise funds for the  second Home from Home facility in Belfast. This facility will take some of the stress from families and being able to be together can mean the world to a child with any illness.

It is with the help of the local ICTA Kickboxing Club that I am able to set this page up. Ryan attended kickboxing before his diagnosis and left an impression. Oonagh and Joe Ferris, the club owners, have run an annual Ryan McNabb tournament since his passing in memory of Ryan. I was asked if I would mind opening the annual tournaments to raise funds for a charity of my choice. We had no idea how much satisfaction it would give us to do this and as you can see the events have snowballed and we plan to carry on with different events throughout the year, many becoming annual events hopefully. I am very grateful to the club for giving me this purpose in life and I am getting so much enjoyment out of it. I also know Ryan would be so proud. 

Lynne, x

Thanks for visiting our fundraising page. A fund has been set up called the Ryan McNabb fund to support CLIC Sargent.

 

You can donate here and leave a message. You can also take a look at our team page down on the left to see our other team members or set up your own page then come back to www.justgiving.com/teams/ryanmcnabbfund and click on Join the Team.

 

 

 

All contributions to this fund will go to support the work of CLIC Sargent; Every day 10 families are told their child has cancer. CLIC Sargent is the only organisation to offer them all round care and support. They are the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, and their families. We provide clinical, practical and emotional support to help them cope with cancer and get the most out of life. For more information, please visit www.clicsargent.org.uk

 

Thank you very much for your support.

 

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So please dig deep and donate now.