Live from the wards - talented musician and DJ Callum raises vital funds for young cancer patients

When talented young musician and DJ Callum Wall found himself diagnosed with and ‘in a bit of a headlock with’ leukaemia, he knew of one thing that would help him through his treatment for the disease - music. 

Having DJ’d since his teens, 24-year-old Callum decided to do a number of charity ‘mixes’ on SoundCloud, to help raise awareness of and fund for a number of cancer charities, including the children’s and young adult’s cancer charity Young Lives vs Cancer.

Callum’s most recent ‘mix’ is a live recording of a set he did whilst in treatment at the Christie Hospital in Manchester; a ’Hospital House Session’ that took place last Saturday and was broadcast live over social media.

To date, Prestwich-based Callum has raised over £1,300 for the cancer charities Young Lives vs Cancer, Anthony Nolan, and the Christie.

Callum said: “This little project has been amazing so far. 

"I didn’t have a goal in my head on how much I would actually raise, but it’s definitely been more than I ever thought! 

"It’s a top feeling hearing back from the charities, and from people who have been inspired and have donated.

"It has been so good for my health as it has given me that extra motivation to do something with my days.

"I’m absolutely buzzing to see how far I can take it and I honestly can’t thank everyone enough that’s donated so far. Thank you.”

Last year in Greater Manchester, Young Lives vs Cancer teams based at the Christie Hospital and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital supported 494 families of children and young people with cancer, giving out 188 financial grants to the value of £41,566 helping families to cope with the costs of cancer.

The Cancer Costs report from the charity found that families with a child on active treatment spend an extra £600 a month.

Joe Burns, Young Lives vs Cancer’s Fundraising Manager for Greater Manchester, said “It has been absolutely incredible to hear Callum’s mixes whenever he drops one!

"It’s also been great hearing him talk about his love of music, and how he has been using this passion to raise vital funds for Young Lives vs Cancer and other charities.

"At Young Lives vs Cancer, we try to help young people with cancer to continue to ‘thrive’ during their treatment, and Callum, through his mixes and his love of music, is an absolute embodiment of this.

“The money Callum has raised can and does make an incredible difference in helping us to support other young people with cancer, so I would like to thank Callum and everyone that has donated to his online fundraising page.”

To hear Callum’s mixes for yourself, simply visit his SoundCloud at https://soundcloud.com/walley-leukocytes/, and to donate you can click here

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