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Matthew requested an IPod Touch 32 to help elevate the boredom of the harsh treatment. We wish Matthew the best of luck with the rest of
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Robert 22 (left) currently receiving chemotherapy after being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid leukaemia in Jan 2009. Robert has recently had a relapse and is waiting go to Kings College Hospital London for a bone marrow transplant the donor being his brother Daniel, as Robert will spend a long time in hospital he requested a Playstation games consol to help cope with his time spent in hospital – which we were happy to help with. |
Betzibeth (right) was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2006 after chemotherapy had a transplant the Tuesday O’Hara Fund helped her when her weight plummeted to 4 ½ stone and none of her clothes fitted her now that she is in remission and getting back to college studying for a forensic science degree were she requested a laptop to help with studies. The Tuesday O'Hara Fund wishes Betzabeth all the |  |
Pevensey Ward Project
The Pevensey ward provides day and in-patient services for people undergoing chemotherapy for cancer and related illnesses. The conditions treated include leukaemia Lymphoma and other blood diseases with patients coming from the whole of the county.
As medical science advances and more conditions become treatable the pressure on the services in the unit has grown and it is now bursting at the seams, there are desperate requirements for expansion of facilities, replacement of equipment and more chemotherapy trained nurses.
There are many complications from chemotherapy such as life threatening bugs since the treatment lowers the body’s ability to fight of common viruses. People undergoing chemotherapy badly need side rooms to protect them and provide an environment for recreating and meeting visitors.
Another specific need on the Pevensey Ward is dedicated facilities for young people and adolescents as they not only battle a horrific disease but try and cope with the problems that everyday life throws at you during your teens. It is vital that youngster’s time on the ward should be as comfortable as possible and the environment should be homely.
Young adults facing a possibly life-threatening illness benefit a lot from being surrounded by their peers rather than children or older people. They badly need ward facilities where they can chill out, surf the net, watch satellite TV, relax and spend time with friends and family as they might normally. A ‘home away from home’ feel is vital.
Above all they need resources that allow then to build friendships with other patients of the same age so they can create bonds to help each other.
A special appeal with these aims is running in memory of Tuesday O’Hara who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2003 at the age of 18 and succumbed anger an incredibly brave four-year battle in January last year. In a poem she wrote during her illness Tuesday spoke about holding her head high, something that she did throughout a remarkable life. The Tuesday O’Hara Fund assists young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 on the Pevensey Ward with financial help to the clinic and equipment not normally provided by statutory authorities.
Tuesday will be remembered as a bit mad, fun loving, addicted to shopping and prone to wearing odd socks. A fiery personality and massive courage shone through her illness.
Tuesday had a bone marrow transplant in October 2006 but her condition deteriorated and she lost the use of her legs towards the end of her life. She died with a crowd of family and friends at her bedside.
On one occasion she had chosen to abseil rather than go to hospital for a blood transfusion and she named her much loved dog, a Rottweiler puppy Chemo after her treatment programme.
A double slot had to be booked for friends and family to see Tuesday off at the funeral. Mourners formed a bank of her favourite colour baby blue, and included school friends from West Rise & Ratton as well as her oncologist Dr Richard Grace from the DGH. The number ‘Everything is Tuesday’ by soul group Chairmen of the Board was poignant music at the ceremony and a massive balloon release allowed hundreds of people to pay tribute to a young woman they had admired immensely
Petition to the Prime Minister to promote awareness of the biggest killer of Children, Teenagers and Young Adults - LEUKAEMIA
Most people would say “it’s ONLY Leukaemia, that’s curable”. Speak to a family who has lost a Child, Teenager or Young Adult to Leukaemia and they will tell you otherwise. Leukaemia is an aggressive Cancer requiring aggressive treatment and the biggest killer of Children, Teenagers & Young Adults in the UK. Families who have lost their precious children to Leukaemia request that the Government promote Awareness of this Cancer. There is worldwide recognition of the Pink Ribbon for Breast Cancer which has saved many thousands of lives however there are few campaigns aimed at increasing knowledge and early recognition of Leukaemia. We ask the Government to be the "World's Forerunner" in a campaign aimed at raising Awareness of Leukaemia through it's own Channels and Media Sources. We ask that Government provides information to GP’s who often dismiss the signs as normal Child & Teenage ailments. By being better informed, we can get earlier diagnosis, earlier treatments & maybe better prognosis and outcomes in the future. We also ask that public money is invested into research projects to try and eliminate a devastating illness that costs our NHS millions each year.
This petition was started by Diane Watt of The Maria Watt Birmingham Foundation For Childhood & Teenage Leukaemia. The link is http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/leukaemia/
Please click on the link , if you agree with what it stands for please fill it in and send it. thank you.
please sign the petition as well as join the group.just joining the group will not help the petition needs to be signed by 10,000 people to be taken seriously.