Cancer survivor backs Christie appeal

“If I had been able to go to Oldham, it would have only taken me a few minutes to drive there, but it took me 21/2 hours in all to go to the Christie for just a few minutes of radiotherapy.”

— Leslie Brown

PENSIONER Leslie Brown has given his backing to the Christie at Oldham campaign after a difficult 16 days of radiotherapy treatment.

The 78-year-old had to travel to the Christie Hospital, Manchester, each weekday for more than three weeks after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“The nurses warned me I would have problems, but I thought I was doing all right until the last week,” he said from his home in Grasmere Road, Royton.

“I felt very weak and listless, I hadn’t got a lot of appetite and I wasn’t sleeping well so I had no energy, and I was very sore.

“The drive to Withington in the last week was pretty rough, but I had no choice but to grin and bear it.”

Mr Brown had radiotherapy treatment just over 18 months ago, and said had it been available in Oldham it would have made his life much easier.

“If I had been able to go to Oldham it would have only taken me a few minutes to drive there, but it took me 21/2 hours in all to go to the Christie for just a few minutes of radiotherapy,” he said.

“I used to get a bit worked up — motorway driving isn’t easy at my age, and I never knew if there were going to be any hold-ups.

“Fortunately, the Christie is a very calming place and everyone was very good and helpful, but I was glad when it was all over.”

Mr Brown has now agreed to be a member of the Christie, which gives him a voice in its future.

Every member of the public can become a member, which helps them keep informed and involved by going to meetings and taking part in surveys and research.

Membership is free and not about volunteering, fund-raising, making a donation or giving up much time — unless people want to.

Members don’t need to know a lot about cancer, they just need to have an interest in the Christie.

To find out how to become a member, ring Jitendra Patel on 0161-446 8616 or contact him by e-mail at jitendra.patel@christie.nhs.uk






TO get help or advice in setting up a fund-raising event, contact the appeals office on 0161-446 3988, visit www.christies.org or text OLDHAM CHRISTIE followed by your name and address to 07971-456824 to receive a fund-raising pack. The pack will have details on how to make sure your money goes to the Christie At Oldham Appeal. Cheques should be made payable to The Christie (Oldham Evening Chronicle). If sending cash, enclose a covering letter to say it is for the Christie At Oldham campaign.