Children with Cancer UK Christmas Party 2019
Sometimes on the Nigel Clarke Blog I like to raise awareness for good causes. And today’s post is for a very good cause. Last week I attended the first Children with Cancer UK Christmas party at the Hard Rock Hotel in London. The aim of the party was to give families affected by childhood cancer a chance to come together and forget about their treatment and make precious memories.
Over 200 children and parents attended from all over the country, all at different stages of their cancer treatment. All united in the wish for every child to enjoy a chemo-free Christmas with their family. Everyday 12 families in the UK will be told their child has cancer. This is a staggering statistic and Children with Cancer UK won’t stop until every child diagnosed survives.
Festivities included food and drink but it also face painters, entertainers and… a visit from the big man himself Father Christmas. But above all the atmosphere was amazing and it was great to see families that are having such a hard time on a daily basis, enjoying themselves and having fun. What was lovely was the time I got to spend getting to really know some of the individuals and what they’ve had to go through.
Families benefiting from Children With Cancer’s Work
Below are 2 of the families I met both being supported by CWC and both at different stages of their journey.
Firstly I met Sienna and her family. Sienna was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in Feb 2018 after having a temperature which didn’t subside for 2 weeks. Since then it’s been 20 gruelling months of treatment with 4 different types of chemotherapy and regular trips to Great Ormond Street Hospital. She still has 6 months to go but fingers crossed she will get the all clear and go on to live a happy heathy life.
Secondly I met Vega and her family. Vega was also diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia but back in 2012. After 2 years she had completed intensive treatment and began maintenance treatment. Since then she had her first steroid-free birthday in December 2014 and has been off treatment ever since. Her family is happy to say she is recovering slowly and steadily.
I would like to thank the organisers for inviting me to the first Children with Cancer UK Christmas Party. What they do for families affected by childhood cancer is incredible. Thanks to their ground-breaking research they have helped to improve children’s cancer survival rates from 64% in 1990 to 84% in 2017. They won’t stop until this reaches 100% but they can’t do it without our help. If you can… PLEASE DONATE TO THIS AWESOME CHARITY every penny could help another child have a chemo free Christmas.
Thank you
Nx
Ps. If you would like to contact me about this or another event head on over to the contact page.
