Whilst eating breakfast, I have just seen piece on GMTV that has moved me to post this.....I don't normally fall for the usual GMTV sob story, but this wasn't pitched as a sob story. Melissa Huggins is a 27 year old school teacher from Staines who is suffering from a brain tumor for the 2nd time in 3 years. She was very articulate and put across her plight calmly and concisely, and even made use of the airtime to explain that the UK doesn't have the £100 million equipment that can treat her and a growing number of children with this form of tumor. (yes you read it right! Come on Abramovich, Branson, Mittal, Green, Ecclestone, Rausing, Ratcliffe and Reuben - get your wallets out!)
Having read the more complete story on her website I have decided to contribute what I normally spend on frivolous bits of paper known as Christmas cards to her fighting fund for treatment in the USA. Not a great deal of money in the scheme of things, just £100, but if a couple of dozen of people in a similiar situation to me made the same commitment, it would make a world of difference to a worthwhile cause.
I wish her well.
20/12 UPDATE : I have heard from a source that the fund had tipped over the £100K mark, and that the US hospital had accepted her and given her a place as soon as the money was confirmed. All of which is excellent news and provides a path to the most suitable and effective treatment, on what is the continued long and arduous journey of recovery.
3 comments:
Good one, Mike. Living in that area, you will not be surprised to hear that a lot of my friends on Facebook have been posting wildly about it recently, and some personally know Melissa. JP
I too went to school with Melissa, and I think its very brave of her to talk about her situation so openly and calmly to the media. Hopefully this will highten awareness to others about this type of tumour, and maybe convince this country to invest in something worthwhile, which could save many peoples' lives. I really wish her the best in finding the funds she needs to get well again..
Good for you. It's nice to see some generousity of spirit at this time of year especially in the shadow of the credit crunch and international recession.
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