Tragic Gareth’s £9,000 cancer drug legacy

IN memory of Gareth . . . (from left) Gareth’s father Gordon, his mother Jennifer, Jackie Hodgetts and Dr Paul Lorigan (both Christie’s) and Gareth’s twin brother Philip hold the cheque for £9,000

A courageous mum who lost her son to cancer earlier this year has helped raise £9,000 to help others affected by the disease.

The money will be used to trial a new drug that will hopefully give malignant melanoma sufferers a better chance of recovery.

Jennifer Greenwood’s son, Gareth, a twin, died aged 33 after undergoing major surgery a year ago.

Jennifer, of Lydgate, said: “Gareth was convinced he had 12 months to live and was determined to make the most of every moment of his young life.

“But, in reality, the medical team had told his GP that he only had a few weeks. He had one dose of palliative chemotherapy on December 22, last year, but was never fit enough to attend Christie’s again.

“Yet he was walking and trying to spend time with his friends. Christmas Day was so hard but he did manage to celebrate a little and sent us all cards.

“He even walked more than two miles around Dovestone reservoir with Arthur, a rescue dog he had adopted.

“He was determined to get well and tried to eat and exercise and keep his energy levels up but, two days later, he was taken to Willow Wood Hospice. He died six days after that.

“It is an unbearable loss but if by raising awareness or contributing money for research we can stop one more young person dying this way then that at least will help a little.”

Mrs Greenwood and her former husband, Gordon, managing director of Lockwood and Greenwood in Audenshaw, held the fund-raising dinner dance at the White Hart, Lydgate, two days before what would have been Gareth’s 34th birthday.

She said: “It gave us a chance to speak his name with pride and also share the celebration with Gareth’s twin brother, Philip. We all sang ‘happy birthday’ at midnight.

“We have received wonderful help and support from family, friends and neighbours over the year. Many donated tremendous prizes for the raffle and auction at the event.

“Dr Paul Lorigan, from Christie’s, told me the money will go towards a drug already being used in America with promising results and will be trialled at the Christie Hospital.

“It is good to know that all the funds