Press release - 12th November 2009
Cancer survivor to embark on coast to coast walk in memory of his friend Tom Buckley
Right to left: Daryl Brady with friends and former Christie patients Gemma Reade, Ruth Foreman and the late Tom Buckley.A year since the late Tom Buckley set off on one of the toughest treks in the country, his friend and former cancer patient Daryl Brady from Atherton is preparing to do the same.
Daryl, 26, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2004 and was a patient at The Christie in south Manchester. During treatment the customer service advisor, met and became close friends with Tom Buckley - the 24 year old who died in May this year after raising over £120,000 for the specialist cancer centre’s teenage cancer unit. The unit is one of only 10 dedicated cancer units in the country providing specialist care and facilities for young people between 16 and 24 years of age.
Despite his terminal diagnosis, Tom raised the funds last winter by taking on the arduous 180 mile walk between St Bees Head in Cumbria, battling through blizzards, snow drifts, freezing temperatures and pouring rain.
Daryl said; “Tom was a genuinely great and inspirational friend and I miss him greatly. It was in September last year that he was told his cancer was terminal, but rather than just admit defeat he decided he’d do all he could to give something back to the hospital that tried so hard to help him fight his illness.
“His story and fundraising efforts touched the hearts of thousands across the country and I’m proud to have known him.
“As a tribute to such an amazing person and inspirational friend on the 29th November, I’m going to be setting off on the same Coast to Coast walk he did to also raise money for The Christie.”
Daryl will be joined for the challenge by John Ackers - the father of another former Christie patient Byrony who was diagnosed with non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 16 and Lisa Clough-Field – a patient who has just completed treatment.
Daryl added; “We’re aiming to do the walk within 13 days and even if we only raise a fraction of how much Tom did, we’ll be over the moon. I’m expecting it to be tough, but I’ll be spurred on by the bravery and determination Tom showed when he did it. There’ll also be a group of other young Christie patients, both past and present, who’ll be joining us for part of the first and last days of the trek to help us raise money, so we’ll have lots of moral support.
“When I found out I had cancer, I was so shocked. It’s a disease you just don’t tend to associate with people my age. In your twenties, you think you’re invincible and will live forever.
“It’s certainly changed the way I see life – I just don’t take anything for granted anymore and I’m so grateful to all the expert staff for saving my life.”
Events officer at the Christie charity, Marco Giannini, said; “Cancer is a traumatic illness to deal with at any age – but I can imagine it’s particularly difficult when you’re a teenager or in your early twenties.
That’s why The Christie’s teenage cancer unit is so important – it’s a home from home offering the best possible specialist care and facilities for this age group. The money that Daryl and the rest of the group manage to raise will go directly to the unit, to help fund things like equipment, counselling and activities for patients.
“To support the group visit www.justgiving.com/Daryl-Brady.”
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The Christie in Manchester is one of the leading cancer centres in Europe - registering around 12,500 new patients and treating about 40,000 patients every year.
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