I would just like to wish Lewis, Martyn, Katie, Steve and Matt good luck with their Bikeathon on Friday and Saturday raising money for the MacMillan Charity Fund. Some of you will (and others will not) know I am John Thorogood the Boston United Stadium Safety Officer. In mid December 2014 I was taken ill and admitted to the Pilgrim Hospital where I stayed until the 27th. During this period I was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus (a Christmas for us all to forget), as you can imagine my world just fell apart for both myself and my family. I cannot describe how I felt other than isolated and frightened, this cannot be happening to me, no.
From diagnosis I was allocated a MacMillan Nurse who has been providing support and will continue to do so through my treatment. At anytime I or my family can ring to seek advice, talk or get help which is very reassuring. Some of you may have experienced what I am going through or had a family member or friend with cancer. It is not just the patient who suffers but others close to them. I am currently having chemotherapy which is an experience in its own right but its the start of the fight back. Surgery will follow in due course and I know I will beat this but it will be a long hard road. I and my family stay positive and confident and MacMillan are playing a massive part in this process for which we all are eternally grateful. You may have seen recent reports on the news or in the papers concerning the latest numbers of diagnosed cancer patients per head of population and it is not good reading. I am sure we have all thought, and I am as guilty as anyone, it only happens to someone else!
MacMillan is not funded by Government and rely on donations and charity events like the Bikeathon. Their work is invaluable and their services so wide ranging it is very important they are supported so they can help cancer patients and their families.If you are able to donate to the Just Giving Page that the staff have set up which Ken mentions in his earlier post please give a donation no matter how small. If you are going down to York Street for the Gainsborough Trinity game pop into the Pilgrim Lounge and see either Lewis, Martyn, Katie, Steve or Matt and they would be happy to receive any donation. I am hoping to come to the game and cheer the lads on (My first game since being diagnosed). Once again well done to everyone for their efforts and best wishes to you all. John T
