Recently a good friend’s teenage daughter was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymphatic system.  It is sometimes called Hodgkin’s disease. 

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/Childrenscancers/Typesofchildrenscancers/Hodgkinlymphoma.aspx

Francesca has just started her Chemotherapy which will take a minimum of 6 months.  The major physical side effect is Alopecia, which you may know as hair loss to the scalp. 

To make things a little more bearable for Francesca her dad has organized a Shave-a-Thon where he, me and about 30 other men and women will have our heads shaved on Saturday, 21st May at 3pm.  We are doing this to show our support for Francesca and to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust: http://www.teenagecancertrust.org/.

Francesca has been attending the University College Hospital London and the Teenage Cancer Trust has made her feel as normal as possible during this very difficult time.  The TCT provide games rooms, entertainment activities, group days out, schooling, tutoring, counseling and above all the support and care that is needed in so many ways to the children and all of their family.

On behalf of Francesca and her family, I would like to thank you for your time in reading this message as well as to thank you in advance should you decide to donate to Teenage Cancer Trust. I will of course send you a photo with my new look after May 21^st!