charity news
simply cut out the diseased part, so we were told the only way they could get rid of the cancer was by removing her windpipe, oesophagus and voice box – she’d never be able to speak again. For a girl who’d just turned 19, it was horrendous to hear those words. Kez didn’t want to lose her voice but if she didn’t have something done she would die. I didn’t even want to contemplate life without her, so desperate for advice I phoned Kez’s uncle, who lives in Italy and is a medical research translator. Incredibly, he’d heard about a surgeon who’d been researching windpipe transplants but hadn’t yet performed one. Looking at all Kez’s medical notes, the surgeon agreed to do the operation. Although scared, Kez couldn’t face losing her voice, so
after a lot of thought she decided to have the pioneering operation in the hope she’d be able to retain her voice. Eleven of us, including her older brother Chris and her boyfriend Joe, travelled to Italy in July last year when Kez had the transplant. When her diseased windpipe was removed, the tumour was about 6cm in length – far bigger than they had anticipated. It turned out the surgeon was able to remove all the cancer. We were delighted. It was an outcome we never expected! Since the operation, Kez has been in and out of hospital to repair a small hole that developed between her oesophagus and windpipe. Thankfully, because of Paul’s House, I’ve been able to stay by her side every time she’s had to go in. We are given our own room with a direct phone link to the ward, and the staff at the house are wonderful. The emotional support and advice they provide is invaluable. When your child’s in hospital it’s such an awful time, so not having to worry about travelling there at all hours or how much it will cost is a godsend. On her good days, Kez has even been able to walk over to the house and sit with me, which helps give her a change of scenery too. Kez is still recovering now and, amazingly, she got her
voice back this August. She’s is so incredibly resilient and focused on going back to hairdressing and leading a normal life again when she’s well enough. Of course I will always worry about what the future holds for Kez, especially as her type of cancer is one that tends to come back. Though she has the best prognosis because they removed it all, I know if she’s ever in hospital again I’ll be by her side, thanks to Paul’s House.
Clic Sargent formed in 2005 when charities Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood (CLIC) and Sargent Cancer Care for Children merged. Around 5,500 children and their families are supported by Clic Sargent every year. It costs around £3,750 to support each young person. Specialist nurses care for children
CLIC SARGENT THE FACTS
with cancer at home and in hospital. The charity funds play specialists who help children to understand what will happen to them. A Home from Home service means families can stay nearby while their child is in hospital. They also provide free supported holidays for the family across the UK.
PROJECT UPDATE
The £13,524 raised in The Candis Big Give will pay for eight families to stay at Paul’s House throughout 2011, while their child is treated at University College Hospital or Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. Paul’s House provides free accommodation to reduce the strain cancer treatment can have on families. Opened in September 2010, it’s expected that 160 families will use it every year.
WWW.CANDIS.CO.UK | OCTOBER 2011 119
As told to Amy Salter Photo Teena Taylor
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164