‘We didn’t want our boy to have died for nothing’
WHEN her beloved son died of a rare form of cancer, Lynn Lucas was determined to keep his memory alive.
Alongside her husband, she set about raising funds to help towards research into rhabdomyosarcoma - the cruel disease that claimed the life of 18-yearold Chris.
Now, Lynn has helped to raise a whopping £2.1m and is being honoured with a national award to recognise her efforts.
The 59-year-old, of Wallsend, has been named NHS fundraising hero in The NHS Heroes Awards, organised by our sister paper the Mirror and by ITV.
And she will receive the gong at a star-studded ceremony.
She said: “When I got the phone call about the award, I just couldn’t believe it. It was a big surprise, it was lovely. I’m really grateful because it helps to raise the profile of the charity.
“We just wanted to create a legacy for Chris and hopefully help other children. It can be hard work, but it’s our life now - it keeps us focused, keeps us positive.”
Chris was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in July 1997, when he was 15.
He was a sporty youngster who played rugby, cricket and basketball, and bravely soldiered on after he fell ill and started receiving treatment.
However he lost his fight for life three years later.
Lynn, and her husband, also called Lynn, wanted to stop other families from suffering the same agony and set up the Chris Lucas Trust to raise money for research into treatments and a potential cure for the disease.
They have been raising money from fundraising events, such as the annual Great North Bike Ride and the Jingle Bell Walk.
The funds have paid the salaries of two scientific medical researchers based at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey for the last 12 years.
In 2013, the team at the Royal Marsden announced a new breakthrough which could help treat cancer in children, a study which would not have been possible without funding from the Chris Lucas Trust.
Scientists said a dual-pronged strategy using two experimental cancer drugs together - AZD8055 and AZD6244 - could successfully slow down tumour growth and block off the escape routes it uses to become resistant to treatment.
“Rhabdomyosarcoma is an awful disease,” added Lynn, who has previously won the Pride of the North East award. “We needed to do something to help save children affected by it and prolong their lives.
“The NHS is a fantastic organisation but they don’t have a Mary Poppins bag. They do need help and this is why it’s important for us to keep fundraising.
“We don’t want Chris to have died for nothing.”
The Duchess of Cornwall will lead tributes to the unsung heroes of the health service at The NHS Heroes Awards at London’s Park Lane tonight.
The ceremony, to be screened on ITV later in the month, will recognise the extraordinary achievements of NHS staff, supporters and volunteers who work around the clock to save and transform lives.
Winners have been chosen from a shortlist by the NHS Heroes judges, including medical experts, following thousands of nominations.
The NHS Heroes Awards will be broadcast on Monday May 21, at 8.30pm on ITV.