He’s our little miracle

Chris’s painting — to be auctioned

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Your Chronicle supports the Oldham Christies Appeal

A MOSSLEY artist put brush to canvas to say a big thank you to the people who saved his life — and helped him become a proud father.

The result is a patchwork painting of the Christie Hospital’s garden entry at last month’s RHS flower show at Tatton Park.

Chris Cyprus set up his easel on the showground to capture the essence as the bronze-winning garden was being created. The result is a montage in acrylics, which tracks its creation and also captures some of the scenes from around the country park.

Now the painting — worth £3,500 on the open market — will be auctioned off to the highest bidder before the August 14 deadline to boost the appeal fund.

Chris (38) and his wife, Dionne, put the miracle birth of their six-month-old baby, Drew, down to the care given by medical staff.

The couple were dealt a bombshell when Chris was diagnosed with testicular cancer when he was 31. He underwent surgery at Stepping Hill Hospital, then attended the Christie Hospital for regular check-ups. Two years later, doctors found a second tumour in his remaining testicle and the couple faced the prospect of life without children.

Chris recalled: “They said the second tumour was unrelated to the first.

“They said it was really rare and just a coincidence, but I had to go through the same procedure.”

The second tumour was aggressive, and doctors told Chris he could have his sperm taken and frozen before surgery, but that he would have to act quickly.

“You never think something like that will happen to you, but we weren’t ready to start a family then, so we decided to go with it,” said Chris. He underwent the procedure at St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester shortly before surgery to remove the remaining testicle, again at Stepping Hill, followed by three weeks of radiotherapy at the Christie.

“Going for radiotherapy took three hours every day, and everything else in my life just stopped,” said Chris.

“Had the Oldham radiotherapy unit been up and running it would have been great. The treatment only takes a few minutes, and the drive from home would have taken about 10 minutes.”

That was the reason Chris decided to do his bit for the appeal. He said: “The new unit will be an absolute bonus to so many Oldham people.”

He was given the all-clear in 2004, and baby Drew was born in February after the couple underwent IVF treatment.

Chris said: “Having cancer helped me to prioritise the important things in life. When Dionne announced she was pregnant I could not have been happier, and I am so grateful to the Christie for the treatment and care they gave me.”


You can bid for Chris’s picture by ringing Emma Burke at the Christie appeals office on 0161-918 7399 before August 14.

Ideally, Chris would like to see the original donated back to the charity for display in Oldham’s £17 million radiotherapy centre when it opens next year, and a signed copy given to the winning bidder, but the decision will be left to the painting’s new owner.


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) and sent to the Appeals Office, 555 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX. If sending cash, enclose a covering letter to say it is for the Christie At Oldham campaign.