Double tragedy spurs family into fundraising effort
RUSSELL John and his cockapoo dog Enzo were inseparable.
So when 60-year-old Russell, from Margam Village, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Enzo became even more important to him and his family.
Russell fought off his cancer, but then came the heartbreaking news that Enzo also had cancer. The little dog was not so fortunate and was lost to the family.
But more tragedy was to follow. Despite being double-jabbed, Russell then caught Covid-19 and, despite a brave, hard-fought battle, he lost his life on October 13.
Now his family have decided to remember him and Enzo by supporting a charity close to Russell’s heart.
Russell’s wife Helen said: “The last two years has been so bittersweet for us. Russ’s fight with pancreatic cancer was brutal but together we won the battle.
“It’s an experience that changed us for ever and I’d never want to see another family go through what we did, but there was good that came from it.”
Whist Covid-19 restrictions put many people’s lives on hold, for Russell, Helen, and their children, Cassie, 26, and Thomas, 21, it meant they got even more family time together along with Enzo.
“Having to shield through the pandemic gave us the opportunity to spend time together. We spent hours walking in Margam Park with Enzo. We became part of the wonderful Margam Village dog walking community and we had precious time together with our children that wasn’t disrupted by work or our previously chaotic lifestyle,” Helen added.
Russell spent 2020 battling pancreatic cancer, one of the most deadly forms of the disease. The pandemic also hit Wales in March that year which meant the country slowly ground to a halt.
But as Russell slowly began to win his battle, the family was hit with a second round of devastating news with Enzo’s diagnosis.
Cassie said: “2020 was such a difficult year as our dad fought off pancreatic cancer during the Covid pandemic. The one thing that helped him through this battle was his faithful companion, Enzo the cockapoo.
“Later that year we received the devastating news that Enzo also had cancer – we were lucky to have him until May 2021. Enzo brought so much joy and happiness to our family at such a difficult time, but especially to our dad. They were inseparable.”
Helen added: “Enzo sadly passed away in May. We were devastated but we were looking forward to a future with cancer behind us. We had all been double-jabbed as a family, Russell had had the all-clear and life was beginning to return to some kind of normality, albeit that we remained very vigilant about Covid.”
The family tried to get their lives back on track after their devastating loss, but in September Russell was admitted to hospital after contracting Covid-19.
He remained on a ventilator for three weeks, before losing his fight to Covid on October 13.
Helen said: “To go through what we’ve been through in the last two years and then for Covid to take Russ from us is unbearably sad and difficult. We’re just a normal family but our lives have been changed for ever.”
In memory of their dad, Cassie and Thomas set up a Gofundme to raise money for Many Tears Animal Rescue, a rescue charity based near Cross Hands. They’ve already raised nearly £5,000.
Cassie said: “Many Tears Animal Rescue was always close to his heart.
“The response has been amazing and we know that Dad would be so grateful for all the support that we’ve had. It goes to show how special he was to so many people and it has given us huge comfort to know that we’ve done something to help others.”
Helen added: “The support we’ve had over the last few weeks from family and friends has meant so much and we know that Russ would be truly overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity that people have shown donating to Many Tears. We really are so grateful.”
Sylvia Van Atta is the founder of Many Tears Animal Rescue. She said: “We take in and rehome primarily ex-breeding dogs who are no longer required; those on ‘death row’ in the pounds and those whose owners are no longer able to keep them.
“We are a unique rescue in that the majority of our dogs are ex-breeders and many have never seen the outside world before.
“With the help of our staff, fosterers and other volunteers we provide a special and loving environment to help all our dogs adapt and find permanent, loving new homes.
“We home in excess of 3,000 dogs a year and all of our dogs are spayed/neutered, microchipped, inoculated and wormed. We also get many dogs in need of specialist veterinary care. Any treatment required is financed by donations to the rescue, which enable us to ensure each dog receives the specialist care it needs.
“We are entirely dependent on the kindness of volunteers and those that donate to our charity. £5,000 is a huge sum and will make the biggest difference to so many of our dogs who desperately need veterinary care and loving homes.
“We can’t thank Thomas, Cassie and Helen enough for thinking of us at what must be such a difficult time for them.”