Appeal that shines a light of hope

For most, Christmas is a magical time of the year. Surrounded by family and friends and with all the excitement of the season, Christmas is what happy childhood memories are made of.

Ben and Jen Degg from Sheffield are determined to make this Christmas extra special for their children, three-year-old George and Edi, two.

On the surface, they are a joyful young family looking forward to the festive season together, but beneath their smiles lies a heartbreaking story.

In March last year, after visiting A&E with severe back pain, Ben, 31, was referred to a doctor who gave him the surprising diagnosis of a rare germ cell cancer.

Ben began chemotherapy treatment at Weston Park Hospital in May, followed by surgery and radiotherapy treatment later in the year.

During this difficult time, Ben and Jen, 30, decided to bring forward their wedding day to ensure that Ben could enjoy the special occasion surrounded by his friends and family ahead of treatment.

“I never imagined that a trip to A&E for back pain would end up changing my life forever,” says Ben.

“I suppose at the time I was utterly shocked at the size of my tumour and my main focus was getting better so that I could return to some normality and spend time with Jen and the kids.”

In February, after returning to work, Ben attended a routine check-up and was given the devastating diagnosis of secondary lung cancer.

He under went further chemotherapy, but he has now been told that all conventional treatment options for his illness have been exhausted, leaving his future very uncertain.

Despite their situation Ben and Jen have generously agreed to support Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity’s Christmas Star Appeal.

The Christmas Star Appeal, supported by Napoleon’s Casino, asks people to remember the hospital this Christmas to help fund pioneering cancer research and improve cancer treatment and care for patients like Ben, both now and in the future.

“Christmas is as much as anything about hope. My own treatment options may now be limited but I refuse to give up on myself and I refuse to give up on the thousands of other people in this area who will one day find themselves battling this same disease,” says Ben.

“This Christmas we will donate to the Christmas Star Appeal because we’re not giving up on our fight for a brighter future.”

The Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity will be sending out a silver star Christmas tree decoration to anyone who donates to the appeal. The hope is that come Christmas Day hundreds of these special stars will be hanging on trees right across the region.

Ben’s wife, Jen says: “Sadly we don’t know what 2015 will bring us. We have to take each day as it comes and make the precious time that we spend together this Christmas really count.

“We want to encourage as many people as possible to join us in donating to The Christmas Star Appeal this year and give patients like Ben the chance of spending many more Christmases with their family and friends.”

Charity Fundraising Manager, Helen Gentle said:“We are incredibly touched that the Degg family have chosen to support our Christmas Appeal this year despite their distressing circumstances.

“Last year, we had such an incredible response to our Christmas appeal from the local community who helped us raise over £20,000 so that our support of Weston Park Hospital can continue.

“With the added support of Napoleons Casino we’re hoping to raise even more this year to prevent local families in the future going through the difficult ordeal that the Degg family now face.”

The charity needs to raise over £2 million this year to fund a wide range of projects that will keep Weston Park Hospital at the forefront of cancer care.

n For more information on Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity visit www.wphcancercharity.org.uk or call the charity office on 0114 226 5370.