is working in association with 
Reg Charity No 1118733 Reg Charity No 1062559
MWB Teenage Cancer Trust Website
THE MARIA WATT BIRMINGHAM FOUNDATION FOR CHILDHOOD & TEENAGE LEUKAEMIA says:
"Thank You for Visiting our Site". We hope that by visiting this site that you will learn a bit more about Leukaemia.
The main aim of the charity is to raise awareness of Leukaemia. Leukaemia is the second biggest killer of children and teenagers and the incidence of it is increasing. It is our aim to ensure that every parent and teenager knows what the main symptoms of Leukaemia are to ensure an earlier diagnosis and earlier treatment.
Additionally, the charity is supporting the work of Teenage Cancer Trust. It is our aim to fund the development of 1 room in a specialist unit at a cost of £100K. Each unit costs c £2M. There are currently 8 units throughout the UK and it is estimated that a further 15 need to be built to ensure that every teenager with cancer has access to one of these facilities.
We are also hoping to raise sufficient funds to start a research project into the causes of Leukaemia in Teenagers. Further information on this will be available shortly.
Please note that when you click on the various external links you need to press the "back" button to return to the site.
GENERAL NEWS
1) We will shortly be looking for volunteers to help with our Leukaemia Awareness Walk around the UK. In the meantime, we have our Leukaemia Awareness Email which we hope will spread around the World and raise funds for research. If you would like to help us to get this message out by receiving the email and passing on to your address book, please click the Email Icon at the bottom of this page. If you would like to support our walkers please sponsor them £2.00 by visiting Leukaemia Awareness Walk around the World
To co-incide with this, we have our Leukaemia Awareness Petition running. If you are a UK resident and believe in what we are trying to do please sign our petition at UK Leukaemia Awareness Petition
You can also support the petition if you are a Non-UK resident by signing the supplementary petition Non-UK Residents support petition
You can also download a paper copy of the petition by clicking on Paper Petition Once completed, please return to 14, Radlow Crescent, Marston Green, Birmingham. B37 7LZ.
2) We recently had the honour of launching the Teenage Cancer Trust Appeal with our first payment of 50K towards Maria's room in the new Teenage Cancer Trust Unit. The cheque was presented to Teenage Cancer Trust at Kerrang! Radio Station.
Teenage Cancer Trust, a national charity dedicated to improving the lives of teenagers with cancer is currently building specialist teenage cancer units at hospitals throughout the UK; in the Midlands there are three in development at Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham Royal Orthopaedic and The Queen Elizabeth.
These units are important, as more often than not, teenagers and young adults will be treated in inappropriate facilities with inadequate support options. Until the age of 16 a teenager is likely to be treated in a paediatric ward alongside toddlers. Diagnosis after turning 16 will likely to result in being treated in an adult ward with elderly patients.
Both of these scenarios are far from ideal as the young person is in an environment with people they will not fully relate to. It is imperative that teenagers are treated in a comfortable environment where they have the opportunity to meet other people their age who understand what they are going through.
The TCT units will not only treat the illness in a cleaner, safer, teenage-friendly environment but will also cater for their psychological needs as well as focusing on the future; whether it be continuing with education or entering the workplace. Perhaps best of all, there is a 15 per cent better chance of survival if treated in a specialist unit. Additionally, the new unit at Birmingham Children's Hospital will free up much needed bed-space for local children diagnosed with cancer.
WHEN BECKY MET HARRY
3) We were delighted to be able to give the opportunity of providing funding for one of our local teenagers currently being treated at Birmingham Childrens Hospital on a recent trip to London to meet Harry Judd from McFly.
Becky (on the right) aged 15 was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia 12 months ago and is currently undergoing treatment at Birmingham Childrens Hospital.
McFly drummer Harry Judd took on his biggest challenge ever when he completed the Flora London Marathon in a fantastic 3 hours 50 minutes, despite picking up an injury to his leg during a demanding training regime. He has so far raised an amazing £21,578 which will be split between Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) and the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT).
FUNDRAISING NEWS
1) 2009 sees the launch of "Maria's Challenge 2009". We hope that 2009 teenagers and young people will take up the challenge of raising 50.00. Who better to raise funds for teenagers and young people with cancer than teenagers and young people. Please see the "Maria's Challenge 2009" page for more information.
Addtionally, there are a few challenges for adults too....please check them out and see if something interests you.
Download our fundraising pack
2) Our new Charity E-Cards facility is now available. This is great way to support the charity whilst also being environmentally friendly. The site has loads of special features for you to use including a calender which will send you an email to remind you of those important dates. Never miss a birthday again! Click on Charity E-Cards and register today.
3) Maria's cousin Karen and 5 of her friends entered the Adidas Dublin Women's 10K and raised a fantastic E1,300. All of the girls from Galway in the West of Ireland had never done anything like this before and they all had a fabulous day in the sunshine. Well done and thanks to all the girls.
Front Row (L-R) Linda Burke, Siobhan Giblin, Karen Mulvihill, Aishling Tully. Back Row (L-R) Marese Barlow and Laura Collins.
4) Our New Charity Partner Blythe Valley Business Park in conjunction with Shirley Lions staged the Blythe Valley Park 5K Fun Run on 14th September, 2008. 200 Runners and Walkers enjoyed a fabulous morning and all participants received their medals and certificates at the end. Sports massages were provided before and after the race by Kayleigh and her friends. Many thanks to all concerned in organising this fabulous day.
5) We have a number of people doing various fundraising. Please check out their fundraising pages to see what they are up to. Our thanks to everyone doing something to help support the charity.
Gilly's Jungrau Marathon supporting Jessica
Caroline & Sam's Climb up Mont Blanc
Nav and her teams Paris Half Marathon
Marco Galluci's Half Marathon
Bev Jenkins New Year Slim-a-Thon
Contact us By post - 14, Radlow Crescent, Marston Green, Birmingham. B37 7LZ
By email van3009@aol.com
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We will continue to fight Childhood Leukaemia and Teenage Leukaemia!
You can now register your own fundraising page - please click on the following link to set up your own online fundraiser:-
Set up your own fundraising site
