The Serious Stuff

Why The 21Kay Appeal?

21 years ago at the age of 25 and having recently given birth to my first child, I was diagnosed with a rare condition called 'Familial Adenomatous Polyposis' (FAP). Left undetected FAP causes bowel cancer in young adults and when eventually discovered it's often too late to treat successfully. In addition, FAP causes other potentially serious health issues, all of which require medical and surgical intervention on a regular basis.

 

I had to face my own mortality at a young age of 25 after having given birth to my daughter less than a year before.  Since then I have never forgot that life is a gift.  Good health is something we often take for granted until be no longer have it.

 

At 25 I was faced with a choice of having a major operation to remove my entire colon or die.  It was a choice that came as rather a shock, as although I kept complaining I didn't feel well  I couldn't exactly pin point what the problem was, I looked well so everyone thought I was well,  but all is not always as it seems.  Without this operation and the ongoing NHS care I have received during the last 21 years, I would not be alive today.

 

I have faced many health challenges and I guess more will be to come.  I feel nor need pity or sadness.  I feel thankful for being given a chance to live my life and triumph over winning health issue hurdles. I have become the strong and determined person I am through the challenges I have faced.  I feel glad and happy to be able to live my life with relative 'normality' thanks to the skills of the surgeons, doctors and nurses.  They have given me life, for without their knowledge, skills and care I would not be here today.

 

When the appeal began as just a thought over a year ago I had no idea of the emotional journey I would set out on.  I have realised  I have mainly kept my health issues to myself.  It has been a difficult process for me to be able to share some of those issues with other people, and it has made me realise it doesn't matter that I have 'amended plumbing', it makes no difference to who I am, it is just the card I have been dealt in life.

 

As the NHS celebrates its 60th birthday and I celebrate the past 21 years I'd like to give somethng back.  To show support to the system which has helped me and helps all those facing ill health.  Creating a way of saying thank you for the life I have been given.

 

I feel honoured to have such great friends and family who know how much it means to me to be able to raise the funds to help secure this much needed equipment for patients to have access to it when they need it.  I am truly moved by the number of people around me who are willing to help with the appeal, to be able to show we care, to want to make a difference to someone else's life, to pass on the baton of hope - for life.

 

I would like to appeal to anyone reading this today for your help by donating to the appeal.  Your donation will help us reach our aim of helping to secure this much needed equipment, as detailed on the appeal's home page, to the patients in Shropshire who need it.  Donations can be made via paypal, go to 'FUNdraising' and then you will see the donate tab or by contacting us as detailed in 'contact us'.    Thank you.