Shock leukaemia diagnosis sparks fundraising plan

Shock leukaemia diagnosis sparks fundraising plan

27 July 2016

A YOUNG Saintfield man has spoken of how the overwhelming support of family and friends is helping him cope with a shock diagnosis of leukaemia.

Twenty three year-old Andrew Gill is currently undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed last month. 

Well known in local farming circles, the champion ploughman has inspired a major fundraiser for the Friends of the Cancer Centre in the form of a road run event organised by Moneyreagh Young Farmers Club (YFC). It is the Friends of the Cancer Centre volunteers who Andrew credits with helping hospital life feel a little more bearable.

“It was a huge shock,” said Andrew of his diagnosis. “I could not believe it. I was just feeling tired and I went to the doctors. They referred me to the City Hospital.

“I was expecting a box of pills and I was sent home with a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia, basically a cancer in the blood.”

The initial few days were a bit of a blur for Andrew, who started chemotherapy a week after he was diagnosed.

He has experienced side effects such as tiredness and hair loss, and being confined to bed is also not something he is used to.

“I work as a plasterer contractor during the day, I also work on our family farm and am involved in Moneyreagh YFC activities. I am hard working person. I used to race motocross and am very competitive.

“In Scotland in the Five Nation Ploughing Challenge last year I came second. I was representing Northern Ireland.

“To go from that to lying in a hospital bed, to not being able to walk around for more than 15 minutes is a huge setback.

“I have had great support from my family and Moneyreagh YFC and also from the Friends of the Cancer Centre. The YFC have been bringing me Playstation games and the Friends of the Cancer Centre even brought me a big flat screen TV. They come for a chat and take your mind off it all. Then I have got my mates to keep me entertained.

“I’m 23 and for my age for this to be happening is very rare. There are not many on the ward aged 18 to 25. It is hard to talk to people but I am coping.

“It is a shock, it is huge for me and my family, but there has been great support from my family and from my girlfriend Ashleigh.”

He added that young farmers clubs, such as the one he was a member of, proved their worth in such circumstances, and that he had enjoyed their many social and sporting events over the years.

Andrew is currently at home with his parents having finished the first of four sessions of chemotherapy, and says his illness has really made him appreciate the simple pleasures of life.

“At home it is such a difference from the hospital, there is fresh air, your own bed and home cooked food,” he said. “Everything tastes better.”

Andrew said the standard of treatment that had been developed around the disease for years left him feeling positive for the future.

“I am reassessed after each session, I am very hopeful,” he said.

“I also hope to be attending to road run next month. It looks like I will be at the start of the second session of chemotherapy but I told my consultant about the fundraiser and she was delighted. They are hopefully letting me out for a night for a few hours to attend.

“Come along, even if you don’t have a vehicle. There will be a ballot, bouncy castle, face painting and The Grassmen in attendance. Even if you do not take part everyone will be welcome.

“The aim is to raise money for the Friends of the Cancer Centre who have been a huge support to me.”

Moneyrea YFC Annual Road Run will take place on Thursday, August 11 from Hillmount Garden Centre, Upper Braniel Road, Belfast BT5 7TX, meeting at 6pm and departing at 7pm. All vehicles are welcome, including tractors, cars, motorbikes and lorries. Pre registration is not required. Donations are from £10 per vehicle and £5 per passenger and includes food.

Donations can also be made online at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MoneyreaYFC-FriendsoftheCancerCentre-AndrewGill