Alara’s fund reaches £5,000 for cancer charity

Alara’s fund reaches £5,000 for cancer charity

9 December 2015

A MAJOR fundraising event to raise funds for an organisation which has been helping a Downpatrick woman’s young niece to stay alive has raised over £5,000.

Ann Graham is raising money for Blood Cancer which has been trying to find a blood stem donor for young Alara Basturk who is battling acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Six year old Alara was diagnosed three years ago and went into remission after being treated with chemotherapy. She suffered a relapse in the summer and her parents have been told she now needs a bone marrow donation to survive and is facing a fresh round of chemotherapy.

Last Sunday night, Ann organised a fundraiser at Downpatrick’s Carousel Bing which featured a mammoth raffle for a host of superb prizes, with the event raising £5,100.

Delete Blood Cancer was launched to increase the pool of lifesaving blood stem cell donors as it believes not one single person suffering with a blood cancer should die because they are unable to find a matching donor.

Every 20 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with a blood cancer like leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma, but blood stem cells from a matching donor could cure them and save their lives.

Ann described the total amount raised as “amazing” and said the money will be used to help a great many people.

“Over 200 people attended Sunday night’s fundraiser and I want to thank everyone for their support. Thanks to the many businesses who donated prizes and to Carousel Bingo for allowing me to host the event,” she said.

“The local community showed how generous it is on Sunday night and Delete Blood Cancer is overwhelmed at the amount of money which was raised. I cannot thank people enough for their support and generosity.”