Christmas Appeal
This Christmas young people like Claudia need your support
Gifts for teenagers and young adults living with cancer should be thoughtful, considerate, and tailored to their unique needs. These individuals are going through a challenging time in their lives.
With the current cost-of-living crisis affecting so many of the young people whom we support and their families, we are asking for you to give a gift of a donation however big or small.
Your donation means we will be able to continue to provide comfort, support and often a much-needed distraction whilst they go through their treatment.
By donating and supporting our “Give the Gift of” appeal you will be helping us to provide gifts for some of those everyday essentials.
Your Christmas donation could help provide….
- Comfort – Cozy Blankets, Plush Pillows, Fans, Beds or Mattress
- Confidence – Wigs, Tattooed Eyebrows, Clothes
- Entertainment – Laptop, TV, Nintendo, Xbox, Netflix Vouchers
- Making memories – Days Out, Weekends Away, Spa Days, Football Match Tickets
- Exercise – Gym Membership, Exercise Bikes, Weights, and equipment
- Independence – Wheelchairs, Electric Bikes/Trikes
- Travel – Taxi Fares, Petrol, Car Parking, Train Fares
Claudia’s Story
Before Claudia was diagnosed with cancer, she was studying midwifery at the University of Manchester. She was in her third year of study when she was diagnosed with cancer and her world was turned upside down. It has taken a big toll on her emotional and financial well-being. She had her student loan and NHS bursary cancelled as her cancer diagnosis interrupted her position in the course due to intense treatment. This meant that she had no income at all and completely relied on her family for help.
In January she had emergency surgery to remove part of a tumour compressing the spinal cord. Following her surgery, she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma and referred to The Christie Cancer Hospital. She has undergone 5 rounds of intensive chemotherapy and on 20th June had another major surgery in Birmingham to remove the rest of the tumour, alongside spinal fusion. She has undergone 4 more rounds of chemotherapy as well as proton beam radiotherapy. She also requires 6 months of maintenance chemotherapy.
For her recent surgery, Claudia and her family had to travel to Birmingham to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital. She was allowed one family member to stay with her however they could not provide any relatives accommodation for her partner and stepdad to stay. This meant they had to pay for a hotel room to stay in, as well as petrol travelling 115 miles each way from home to Birmingham, along with car parking fees.
The hospital didn’t provide any food for the family, so they had to continuously buy on the go as there were no cooking facilities. Claudia was in hospital for 10 days in total which meant the cost of the hotel, food and petrol amounted to around £800.
It’s thanks to our amazing supporters and donors that the Foundation have been able to step in and help with a grant to cover some of her costs for travel, accommodation, and food.
We rely solely on the generosity of our wonderful donors and supporters to enable us to do our work. YOU can help us make a significant difference in the lives of Teenagers and Young Adults with cancer.
Yes, I’ll give a Christmas donation to The Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation.