IRFON SAYS THANKS FOR £140K FUNDS
A CANCER patient whose charity fundraising campaign has raised more than £140,000 has recorded a video from his hospital bed, thanking people for their “incredible support.”
Father-of-five Irfon Williams, 46, from Bangor, was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer in 2014, which later spread to his liver.
The former mental health manager launched the #TeamIrfon campaign shortly after being diagnosed, hoping to raise £20,000 to support patients on Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Alaw Unit through North Wales NHS Charity, Awyr Las.
Since then, thanks to the incredible support of people in communities across North West Wales and further afield, the campaign has raised more than seven times that amount.
This week he received the devastating news that his cancer had spread to other parts of his body.
Despite this, he says he remains “upbeat and determined to keep on fighting.”
Speaking from his hospital bed at Ysbyty Gwynedd, where he is currently recovering following a recent operation, Irfon said: “Despite this latest setback I’m remaining positive and looking forward to exploring new treatment options.
“I’m overwhelmed that the #TeamIrfon campaign has now smashed the £140,000 mark. It shows how close to people’s hearts the issue of cancer is, and how much we all appreciate the care we receive on Alaw Ward, and in other parts of Ysbyty Gwynedd.
“When I’m better I’m going to be meeting with frontline staff from Alaw Ward to have a discussion about how we can best spend some of the money.
“We’re very keen as a family, following our own experiences, to make life a lot easier for patients and their relatives, to make sure that their mental health is maintained while living with a diagnosis of cancer.
“It’s comforting to know that the money raised through the campaign will make a real difference to other local people living with the disease in communities across North West Wales.”
Money raised so far through the campaign has paid for wigs and headwear for women who have lost their hair following cancer treatment, complementary therapies including reflexology and therapeutic massage, and new equipment for Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Alaw Unit which isn’t normally available through the NHS.
Funds will also be made available for patients undergoing end-of-life care to marry in hospital. A counselling room which is used for Breast Cancer patients at Ysbyty Gwynedd will also be refurbished.