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A cancer survivor battling an aggressive form of leukemia promised doctors to reimburse the cost of his surgery – £ 150,000.
Andrew Davies, age 20, was only 13 years old when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in September 2012.
Andrew Davies promised the doctors to reimburse the cost of his surgery. Photo: Richard Belam / SWNS
The brave teenager – supported by his parents Alison Davies, 53, Paul Davies, 61, and his brother James Davies, 21 – started chemotherapy that caused illness, hair loss, bleeding and bruising.
He had a bone marrow transplant in January 2013 and spent 25 days in isolation.
Driven by his gratitude for the care received and eager to help other people in a similar position, Andrew is incredibly committed to increasing the cost of bone marrow transplant, which saves lives, in the NHS.
However, when Andrew asked nurse Julie of the Sheffield Children's Hospital how much the transplant would cost, her mother Alison "almost started to choke".
Andrew during his treatment at the 13-year-old Sheffield Children's Hospital in 2012. Photo: Davies Family / SWNS
Andrew said, "She told me that my operation would cost £ 150,000 to the NHS." It was then that I knew what I had to do, and I had to pay them back. "
Determined, Andrew has now achieved the incredible goal just six years later – this one will be shared equitably between Leukemia Research and the Sheffield Children's Hospital Cancer Service.
His fundraising activities include a coast-to-coast cycle with his brother James from Liverpool to Skegness, as well as walking on Dales Way – an 81km trail linking Ilkley (West Yorkshire) to Bowness-on-Windermere ( Cumbria) – with six friends.
Andrew said: "I have received fantastic support from so many people.
Andrew Davies with Shan Rush, who treated him like a boy. Photo: Richard Belam / SWNS
"Friends and family ran marathons, organized gala balls and raised funds instead of gifts.
"It was amazing."
The form of Andrew's cancer was due to the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow and blood.
This horrible diagnosis was made just a few months after she was a teenager in September 2012, and after a month her worried friends and family started raising funds for charity.
From left to right: Paul Davies, Katharine Patrick, pediatric hematology consultant, Andrew Davies, Alison Davies and consultant Dan Yeomanson. Photo: Richard Belam / SWNS
Andrew, who is studying sports science at Liverpool's John Moores University, said that he had begun to feel bad in the summer of 2012 after practicing a sport.
He said: "I started getting very tired and lethargic and I did not really know what was wrong.
"My mother told me that I should have a blood test before my return to school, so I did it in September.
"We received a call an hour later, which seemed really unusual.
"They told me that I had to come immediately to the hospital."
Andrew was transported to the Sheffield Children's Hospital where he underwent several blood tests and tests.
Barely two days later, his family received the terrible news of his leukemia and had to start three exhausting chemotherapy sessions.
In January 2013, a donor became available and Andrew was operated on – before being kept in solitary confinement at the Sheffield Children's Hospital during a creepy 25-day period.
Andrew had to take anti-rejection drugs and could only have very limited contact with his family and friends.
After leaving the hospital, Andrew spent two months recovering at home, where he was practically confined to the house, with the exception of his "stealthy outing" to play badminton with his mother Alison.
He added, "I loved it, it was a mental and physical thing."
Andrew valiantly fought cancer throughout his teenage years and has been in remission for more than three years.
The Children's Hospital charity has launched a £ 2.75 million appeal to transform the cancer and leukemia department at Sheffield Children's Hospital, with more space, more space and more money. 39, privacy and natural light.
Andrew added, "I am pleased that my fundraising is contributing to the new call and ensuring that the facilities match the excellent care of the room.
"The Sheffield Children's Hospital is a phenomenal place and I really do not know what happened if I had not been treated, which is a scary thought."
The transformed hall of the hospital would create private patient rooms with en suite bathrooms, offering patients a place to create their own space and a space to allow a parent to sleep comfortably by their side.
Andrew, of Chesterfield, added: "I was a teenager, but a member of my family stayed by my side almost every night at the hospital.
"It was really comforting to have this option, even at this age.
"The space for them to stay comfortably near their child in the room will make a huge difference."
"Clinical spaces can be intimidating and I know this has affected the youngest patients during my stay.
"If you could come in and see the brightly colored walls and a soothing environment, the treatment would be less stressful and allow patients and parents to focus solely on their recovery."
The redevelopment will increase the hall's footprint, with larger bed bays and more isolation rooms.
This will also more than double the size of the day care clbadroom – ensuring that the illness does not interrupt patients who wish to continue their education.
Cheryl Davidson, community fundraiser, added, "We have recently launched our biggest fundraising call, and a refurbished cancer ward has never been more needed, as we Strive to build a better future for the Sheffield Children's Hospital – a huge difference for young patients from across the region and as far south as Northampton, who depend on the incredible care provided by the service. "
Visit www.justgiving.com/Drewy-Davies to donate.
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