£10 could help create more places to play in the Cancer Ward, whether a patient is in a few hours or several months.
Andrew's Story
"If the new facilities can make their jobs a little easier and help families stay together during the most distressing of times, it would make such a difference for everyone”
Andrew Davies has completed his mission to raise £150,000 to pay back the hospital which saved his life six years ago.
Spurred on by his gratitude for the care he received, Andrew’s fundraising journey has spanned over five years, taken in an array of sporting challenges, gala balls and over 500 individual donations.
Andrew was just 13 years old when he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) in September 2012. The aggressive form of cancer is caused by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow and blood.
The teenager began chemotherapy which caused sickness, hair loss, bleeding and bruising. He underwent a bone marrow transplant in January 2013, spending 25 days in isolation.
The care he received at Sheffield Children’s Hospital ensured that within three months Andrew could resume his life once again and was able to return to school.
Within a month of his original diagnosis, concerned friends and family eager to help in any way they could began raising money in Andrew’s name.
Upon his recovery, driven by his gratitude for the care he received and the conviction that the environment could be improved for others in a similar situation, he poured his energy into the fundraising initiated in his name.
Soon after, Andrew pledged to raise £150,000, which was the cost of his life-saving bone marrow transplant to the NHS. The fundraising was split evenly between leukaemia research and the Cancer Ward.
“I’ve had fantastic support from so many people. Friends and family have ran marathons, held gala balls and raised money in lieu of presents. It’s been incredible”. Andrew said.
The Children’s Hospital Charity has launched a £2.75m appeal to transform the Cancer Ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, with more space, privacy and natural light.
Andrew added: “I’m delighted that my fundraising will be making a contribution to the new appeal and help make sure the facilities match the excellent care of the ward. Sheffield Children’s Hospital is a phenomenal place and I really don’t know what would have happened to me had I not been treated there, which is a scary thought”.
“Renovating the surroundings will make a huge difference too. With The Children’s Hospital Charity funding the project, we can go beyond the standard NHS provision”. Andrew continued.
How your money helps
£30 could double the size of the ward classroom, ensuring illness does not interrupt learning.
£50 could create private patient rooms with en-suite facilities, giving our patients a place to make their own.
£100 could help increase the ward footprint, with larger bed bays and more isolation rooms.
Everything we fund is over and above the NHS provision. Our hospital is testament to the dedication of staff, the generosity of our donors and the courage of our children. We’ll never stop striving to make it better.