It is all a bit tough at the moment because September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and as I have been hit by both I feel a bit surrounded by cancer!
I ummed and aaahed about doing anything for Childhood Cancer month and thought about doing something big and then thought I don’t think I will have time and then I will be mad with myself….not good.
So I have resorted to carrying a big gold balloon with me because we know that balloons are good. They are cheap and they are noticeable. I walk into somewhere and someone says ‘Oh is it someone’s birthday?’ I can launch straight into NO, it’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the words children and cancer should not be in the same sentence!
AND
Around 2% of cancer research funding is dedicated to cancers affecting children and young people. NOT ENOUGH!
So yes, back to balloons but I forgot to take it with me today and we are only on Day 2!!
The pic below was taken 2 years ago in September by Tanje an amazing photographer who offered to do some pics of children who are in remission from cancer and have been on the Emily Kent Unit. Two girls and their Mums and Grans and one of the nurses from the unit. It was an amazing day & gave them some lovely pics.
I couldn’t really just do nothing because I can raise the awareness and the needs of children with cancer . Those children battling the bloody cancer with their families around them until they hopefully finish treatment and it has gone.
So let’s be positive! The money we have raised in Emily’s name since she left us in 1995 has supported children in Gloucestershire on the unit and supported children in Bristol up to 2018 on the Emily Kent Day unit.
We fund entertainers, crafts and fun on the Unit which now has over 40 children battling cancer daily.
Emily has funded Pied Piper Wish holidays for children with Cancer, many of which like to go to Lapland after their treatment has finished as they might have spent at least one Christmas in hospital as some treatments can go on for 2 or 3 years.
We just had one Christmas of her 6 months of treatment in hospital
The first two days of her chemo
And her beautiful hair came off on to the pillow…
Anyway back to positivity. Our loss has provided so much for children with cancer and that helps to tinge the pain when we let the pain in.
Let’s all GO GOLD in some way in September & if I can encourage some people to throw a fiver into our Pied Piper Pot for children with cancer then GREAT!
Here is the link! https://www.justgiving.com/page/emilysgift
Let me know if you want to do something – it can be small.
Does a particular month or anniversary bring memories flooding back for you too? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
Here she is – Beautiful Emily
