George Kaminska from Bournemouth, was diagnosed with TCell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma just two weeks before Christmas last year, shocking his family ‘to the core’. Now, as they approach another Christmas living a ‘new normal’, George and his family have thanked the DCCF and you, the charity’s supporters, for the financial assistance which has helped them pay for transport to and from hospital – and some much-appreciated treats.
A Big Thankyou!
Thank you to everyone who has supported the DCCF this year and helped Dorset cancer patients, including seven-year-old George.
George’s mum Rosa explained: “George was admitted to hospital twice, initially thought to be pneumonia, before a CT scan showed a tumour on his airways on the upper lung. As soon as this was detected they transferred him to Southampton Hospital.
“He had a breathing tube fitted. He was then transferred a week later to the Piam Brown children’s oncology ward, where he had a drain fitted in his right side because his lung had collapsed.
“Thankfully George was discharged in time to spend last Christmas with us, although we have had many other challenges to contend with during the first part of this year, like blood clots on his lung, cellulitis in his lower leg causing him to limp about, and also physical changes, such as losing his hair and steroid treatment which has made him puffy in his face and body.
“When we were told George had cancer it rocked us to the core. Our world was turned upside down.
“As parents you feel physically sick and you don’t know how you are going to deal with each day. But charities like the DCCF can thankfully ease the anxiety with support both financially and emotionally.
“The grant from DCCF has helped a huge amount, by helping towards fuel costs to get us to hospital appointments, parking, food shopping and bills.
“During October half term, George had a couple of friends to play and have a little Halloween party. He couldn’t attend school during his intensive treatment period, so this was a real lift to his spirits.
“George has been trialling back at school for mornings since September this year, so we are being cautious now we’re in the ‘maintenance’ phase.
“We’ve had to adjust to giving him his chemotherapy at home, and if he has low neutrophil levels he’s more at risk of getting an infection and a spiking temperature, which means we could have to spend 48 hours in hospital.
“It’s always uncertain how George will be from week to week, but he enjoyed a school trip out recently to Durlston Country Park and he also went to his school disco. We hope he can increase his sessions at school in 2024.
“Looking forward, we have a couple more years to go of treatment and we will give George all the support he needs, as well as trying to take care of ourselves.
“We are so very grateful to the DCCF and its supporters for your help and wish you all a very happy Christmas.”
The Kaminski Family, Bournemouth.
Please continue to help the DCCF in 2024 by attending our events, fundraising, supporting us through your company, or just by talking about us and encouraging people you know to help us too. We owe everything to you, our loyal supporters.
