Thanks for the last 18 years of life

It is 18 years since musician Paul Muszanski was given the all clear from cancer,

But never a day has gone by without him being thankful for the treatment, help and support he got from the oncology team at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Now the graphic designer from Brighouse is celebrating being 18 years free of cancer by hosting a massive fund-raising event for the BRI oncology ward where he was treated.

Paul was given the all-clear from cancer in 1995 after spending several months battling lymphoma. He was treated by the specialist cancer team on Ward 15.

“The words ‘all clear’ were uttered tentatively,” recalls Paul.

“Tip-toeing through the first year and making it there was cause for celebration, which we marked with a One Year On benefit gig raising £1,500 for Ward 15 and Bacup.”

But, Paul explains, it doesn’t stop there.

“You still keep stepping through the landmarks and in my case it was check-ups every six weeks, then three months, six months and eventually annually. Ten years on, I was officially off the books and running my own business. It was time to give something back to those who made it possible.”

To mark the occasion Paul held a second fund-raising event, “Stay Tuned”, – writing and performing music and raising more than £2,000 for the ward.

“It’s now 18 years on and I am more aware than ever that there is so much to be grateful for,” says Paul.

Now he is putting the final touches to a this event on June 22 which will mark the 18th anniversary of his remission from the disease.

“The objective is simple: to raise as much money as possible to support the vital work of ward 15 at the BRI as they continue to help patients and their families live and cope with cancer.

“I hope that this fund-raising evening of music and fun will be mixed with images which will provide a real insight into the work of the doctors and nurses here in Bradford.”

Paul added: “The event will also include patients’ stories of those who have battled and who are battling this disease – from those who made it to those who have not been so lucky.

“We are fortunate that a number of staff will be present on the night to represent the ward and the work it does.”

Along with friends from the media, the musical world and the doctors and nurses of ward 15, Paul has been collating photographs and patient stories for the evening which will take place at Farnley Sports and Social Club in Leeds.

“We are hoping to take friends and family through 
an uplifting musical journey of one man’s experience 
of coming to terms with, taking on, surviving and 
living life after cancer,” 
says Paul.

The evening will feature songs written by Paul and his band, Future Colours, set to specially commissioned video and narration, with appearances by guest musicians as well as an auction.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you as everyone involved with this event in giving their time free of charge including helpers, musicians, sound engineers, photographers, designers, web developers and others, with the aim of it being a highly profitable, enjoyable and worthwhile evening for all concerned.”

Consultant oncologist, Dr Sue Cheesman, said: “Paul is an inspiration to us all but especially to our patients here in Bradford with cancer.

“He is 18 years free of cancer which is fantastic but, like all patients who come into contact with the Big C, he faced many issues during his journey.

“By coming back to us nearly two decades later to organise this fund-raising evening is just fantastic.

“All the monies raised from this event will help other patients finding themselves in the same situation.

“We thank him very much and say keep up the amazing work for Bradford!”

Paul is also looking for 
local businesses to help cover the costs of food, main auction prizes and 
CD duplication.

Tickets for the venue, which can hold around 250 people, can be obtained by contacting Paul on 07951 060286 or directly from www.staytuned2.co.uk

Celebration and a fund-raiser

About 80 per cent of all lymphomas diagnosed are non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In the UK, more than 11,800 cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are diagnosed each year.

Remission, the event will be held on Saturday, June 22, at the Farnley Sports 
and Social Club for around 250 people, by invitation only, with food and drink being made available.

During the course of 
the evening there will 
be a number of activities running including film 
clips and an auction as well as the featured performance.