December is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Obviously childhood cancer is very close to my heart after what happened to Georgie and I do work hard to raise awareness.
I thought I’d write a blog post about a very brave young man named Harry Moseley. I’m hoping lots of people have heard of him. He reminds me of Georgie a lot and I’ve been captivated by his story for a while now. His mum, also named Georgie, reminds me of my Uncle; such strength and courage.
Harry was incredibly brave; he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2007 after having problems with his eyes. The tumour was in a dangerous place, deep in his brain, which made it inoperable. He had chemotherapy, which sadly didn’t stop the tumour. Harry made a friend, Robert Harley, whilst having treatment and Harley inspired Harry to do something to help brain cancer research. He began making and selling beaded bracelets. Sadly four weeks into Harry’s campaign Harley died. He was only 55.
Harry managed to keep his illness under control for two years but his health began to worsen in July this year. He developed a blood clot on his brain and had an emergency operation on 10th August. Harry survived the operation but was in a coma for eight weeks before his family took him home to rest on 7th October 2011. Harry passed away the next day in his mothers arms aged just 11
Harry has done amazing things for Cancer Research. He raised so much money and awareness, he did speeches and he brought out the best in the people around him. For him to die at such a young age is an absolute tragedy, I’m sure he would have achieved even more had he survived. Another young promising life ended by cancer. The world really is a lesser place without him.
Harry has inspired so many people. His legacy lives on through his mum, his siblings and his supporters. There are people cycling, running and writing to raise money for him as well as people working hard to make his bracelets. The Harry Moseley campaign lives on and I’m sure wherever he is, he is so happy and proud of the progress being made.
Like Georgie, Harry is a perfect example of why Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is so important. Seeing anyone suffering from cancer is a tragedy but to see a child suffer is heartbreaking. To have a young person snatched away is something that you can never recover from.
People are working hard in the fight against childhood cancer but there is still work to be done. As I have explained before I am taking part in CLIC Sergeant’s Big Bucket Collection, if you do see a bucket, please donate anything you can, it really will make a difference. We may have lost Georgie and Harry but we can all work together to save other children from a similar fate. It’s what they both would want.
For more info on Harry please take a look at his website:
For more info on the groups fundraising for Harry please take a look at the following sites:
http://www.cyclingforharry.blogspot.com
I've linked this lovely piece to my blog, such a touching piece of work. I have been blogging about my support for Cancer Research's Shine Walk this year which you may be interested in?: http://somewritingspace.wordpress.com/charity-fundraising-shine-keep-fit-cruk/
ReplyDeleteI can imagine what it must be like to have kid suffer from it. We can help the families in many ways. We can prepare food for them. We can spend time with them. Stand with them in their worst time. Give money if they need it. Don’t think too much before help. Just go and do.
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