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. If you would like to help us achieve our goal please visit

Click here if you would like to make a donation towards the new units

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.

Click here if you would like to make a donation towards this research project

Please note that when you click on the various links you need to press the "back" button to return to the site.

GENERAL NEWS

We recently had the honour of launching the Teenage Cancer Trust Appeal with our first payment of 50K towards one room in the new Teenage Cancer Trust Unit. The cheque was presented to Teenage Cancer Trust at Kerrang! Radio Station.

We are working in association with Teenage Cancer Trust by supporting the development of one room costing 100K at the new specialist Teenage Cancer Unit at Birmingham Childrens' Hospital.  

The aim of the unit is to provide a haven where teenagers can draw strength from each other, welcome their family & friends to their private space and benefit from the unstinting and reassuring support of experienced and dedicated health professionals. 

 

This project continues to be one of our top priorities and 50K of our 100K total has now been raised and a cheque was presented at the launch of the main Teenage Cancer Trust appeal at Kerrang! radio station.  Planning has been granted and work will commence in September 2008. 

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.

Each unit costs in the region of £2 million and will cater for six teenagers at any one time. 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

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

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING US TO CELEBRATE MARIA'S 21ST BIRTHDAY IN JULY 2009 AT OUR BLACK TIE CHARITY DINNER PLEASE COMPLETE THE ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM SO AS WE CAN ASCERTAIN NUMBERS Maria's 21st Birthday Charity Dinner 

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. Click on Charity E-Cards and register today.

FUNDRAISING NEWS

1) 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.

 Allied Irish Bank (GB) Website

2) Allied Irish Bank (GB) entered a 7 strong team into the CRANFORD 10K RUN, on Sunday 11th May, 2008, supporting teenagers battling against Leukaemia.

The team:- Robbie Henneberry, Simon Boulcott, Andy Clapham, Jeremy Stewart, Declan McGinn, Russell Goodrem & Justin Don all competed on an exceptionally hot Sunday afternoon.  

You can still offer them your support by visiting their fundraising page and helping them to reach their 4K goal. Click the following link Team AIB - Cranford 10K Run

 Sydney Mitchell Solicitors 

3) Sydney Mitchell also entered a total of 8 teams into this years Knowle Fun Run which again took place on Sunday 11th May. Thanks to the success of the noble few who entered last year’s run, the response to an appeal for 2008 runners generated an impressive response with nearly a third of Sydney Mitchell staff prepared to don their trainers.

The team competed in exceptionally hot weather but all past the finish line.

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 entering various runs up and down the country.  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

Jason Rodbard's NY Skate Marathon

Kelly Denton's Trek

Robert Haworth

Lisa Orrgarde's Parachute Jump

David Copsey's Great North Run

Garry Wilson's Great North Run

In Memory of Christopher Hand

Chris Parry's Dublin Marathon

James Thompsons Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon

Samantha Smith's London Prague and Edinburgh Marathon Challenge

Kat Moylan's 10K Run for All in Leeds

6) Our Charity Parachute Jump was held at RAF Weston on the Green in Bicester on Sunday 4th May, 2008.  Our Charity Partner, Aston & Fincher  entered a 20 strong team into this event and we had a total of 31 willing volunteers to jump out of an aeroplane. See the photos on our past events page

Aston & Fincher Parachute Team 

Congratuations to the team of 20 brave parachutists from Aston & Fincher

Aston & Fincher Wolverhampton to Aberdovey Bike Ride

Good Luck to Oliver, Dave, Nick, Claire, Jo, Stuart, Corentin and Richard (and Steve as backup!)

AlSO WELL DONE TO:

Duncan McCormick's Parachute Jump

Morgan Keatings Parachute Jump

Chloe Sontags Parachute Jump

Sandra Flynn's Parachute Jump

David Norris Face Shave

7) We are now on Facebook.  Please join our Group and our Cause  We are also collecting votes via one of the applications - it's free to register a vote and you can do so every 12 hours.  Register a Vote 

 

Contact us

By post - 14, Radlow Crescent, Marston Green, Birmingham. B37 7LZ

By email diane.watt@mwb-leukaemia.org.uk

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We will continue to fight Childhood Leukaemia and Teenage Leukaemia! 

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