steve_b
Member
Registered: 15th Jun 03
Location: Oswestry, Shropshire
User status: Offline
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Hello,
HERCEPTIN FOR MARGARET BRADFORD APPEAL
Back in April 2005 my Mum (Margaret Bradford, age 54) was diagnosed with breast cancer. As things stood at home my brother (Kevin Bradford, age 21) was 6 weeks through his phase 1 basic training with the Signals at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield. I was still attending my weekly college blocks at Yarnfiled Park for my BTEC in Telecoms as a BT Apprentice.
This left my Mum not wanting to tell either of her sons about being diagnosed. She said to me that she was going to visit my uncle in Surrey for a few days, when infact she was going to have her cancer surgically removed. Mum and Dad (John Bradford, aged 56) came back from their so called 'visit' with the surgery successful and awaited the start of her chemotherapy.
During my brothers first weekend break for six weeks my mum broke the news to us both that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, had the surgery and that she had not been to see my uncle! With only weeks before the chemo was due to start this was a big shock to the system as I had a very small understanding of cancer, the treatments and side effects.
The chemo started on 6th June 2005 and went very well with the usual side effects. E.g. Hair loss, nausea and tiredness. Straight after Christmas on 28th December 2005 she started her radiotherapy which finished on 18th January 2006
On the 10th January 2006 (my 18th birthday) my Mum received her test results that were carried out on her tumour. These results were not encouraging, they show the tumour as HER2+ which was explained responds well to a treatment called Herceptin. The bad news is that this drug is not available on the NHS in Shropshire to my Mum. She has been given the option to pay for this treatment to the sum of £42,000. She has 3 months to take up this option as any longer delay would make the treatment less effective. My Mum is a very private person, she kept her illness very low-key and has kept working throughout her treatments and maintained a normal life-style. Her decision to try and raise the money for Herceptin means putting herself in the public eye, it is not an easy decision but she was left with no choice but to go for it. As a family we are all looking for as many ways as possible to fundraise.
The link below shows the local papers article for my mum.
http://www.shropshirestar.com/show_article.php?aID=41420
Now the solution is to fly 12,000 feet in the air in an aeroplane and jump out of it plumiting at speeds of 120mph for 7,000 feet then to parachute the last 5,000 feet. Scary aye?
The date I have chosen to do this is April 1st 2006 (yes, thats April Fools day) and some fool I am!
If you could in anyway contribute by sponsoring me, my family and I would be extremely grateful. All cheque's can be made payable to 'Herceptin for Margaret'. Please send me an e-mail to herceptinformargaret@hotmail.co.uk if you would like out home address to send a cheque.
I know a few people from the boards like Andy Wilson and Izzac (flaming corsa) I am sure some of you know my brother Kevin Bradford?
Best Regards,
Steven Bradford
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Kerry
Member
Registered: 5th Oct 01
Location: Norwich
User status: Offline
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I have to say this but stuff like this angers me 
The government cant spend money saving a life but can spend money housing immigrants
I am not racist and i dont want to start a racist rant but prioritys of this country are all wrong
I really hope you raise the money you need and your mum gets through. I wish your family all the best 
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steve_b
Member
Registered: 15th Jun 03
Location: Oswestry, Shropshire
User status: Offline
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Totally agree!
Thanks Kerry!
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vibrio
Banned
Registered: 28th Feb 01
Location: POAH
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Kerry
I have to say this but stuff like this angers me
The government cant spend money saving a life but can spend money housing immigrants
I am not racist and i dont want to start a racist rant but prioritys of this country are all wrong
I really hope you raise the money you need and your mum gets through. I wish your family all the best
actually its not the goverment it is the NHS trust that runs the hospital. also IIRC you can just go to another hospital now and get the treatment.
I can understand why some of them do it.
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steve_b
Member
Registered: 15th Jun 03
Location: Oswestry, Shropshire
User status: Offline
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she cannot just go to anoter hospital and get it free.
She has decided to have it at Christies in Manchester as it is a little bit cheaoer than other places!
steve
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steve_b
Member
Registered: 15th Jun 03
Location: Oswestry, Shropshire
User status: Offline
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TTT, maybe this could be pinned?
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lee_edwards
Member
Registered: 11th Jul 05
Location: oswestry
User status: Offline
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BTTT!!!
lee 
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Ally
Member
Registered: 2nd Jul 03
Location: Pontypool Drives: a Skoda
User status: Offline
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Maybe if you could get some hosting from somewhere set up a website, with a paypal account where people can make donations?
Good luck
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steve_b
Member
Registered: 15th Jun 03
Location: Oswestry, Shropshire
User status: Offline
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I have already tried but as my mum is not a registered charity with a charity number its provrn qute difficult!
Shame really!
Steve
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