I came across this video on You-Tube today and thought I would share with you what 'kind' creatures we are !!!
March 2010
03/31/2010
03/29/2010
Fantastic news for Leukaemia sufferers from Southampton University
This press release from Leukaemia Research gives us all the reasons why we should raise as much money as possible for their cause .......
Southampton researchers show new cancer drug to be five times more effective than current treatment
22 March 2010
Dr Mark Cragg
A Cell Biologist in the School of Medicine.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have identified an experimental drug that could be five times more effective than current treatments for certain patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a common blood cancer. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the sixth most common cancer in the UK.
Drugs called ‘monoclonal antibodies’ have revolutionised treatment
for blood cancers in recent years and one of these drugs, Rituximab,
has become one of the standard treatments for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Unfortunately, a significant percentage of patients are unresponsive to
Rituximab or go on to develop resistance to the drug. To overcome this,
there have been a number of attempts to develop alternative monoclonal
antibodies for use in the treatment of lymphoma.
Dr Mark Cragg
and his team at the University of Southampton School of Medicine have
demonstrated in the laboratory that a new ‘type II’ monoclonal antibody
is five times more effective at killing lymphoma cells than current
‘type I’ drugs such as Rituximab. Their results are published online in
the prestigious medical journal Blood.
Monoclonal antibody drugs
work by seeking out and attaching themselves to a specific protein
found only on the surface of cancer cells. The cancer cells are then
‘flagged’ and can be sought out and destroyed. The researchers found
that the new ‘type II’ monoclonal antibody is so much more effective at
destroying lymphoma cells than Rituximab because of the different ways
that the two drugs react with the protein on the surface of the cancer
cell.
Dr Cragg said: “We now know why these new ‘type II’ drugs
are more effective and last longer in the body than current drugs. This
strengthens the case for developing more type II monoclonal antibodies
in the future “
Dr David Grant, Scientific Director at Leukaemia Research,
said: “Treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has progressed rapidly in
recent years, but even now there are many patients who still do not
respond to treatment. This research offers hope to these patients and
suggests that more effective drugs could be developed in the near
future.”
Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research currently has
£3,700,000 invested in blood cancer research in Southampton.
Leukaemia
& Lymphoma Research was previously known as Leukaemia Research. The
charity, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2010, has changed its
name to raise awareness of its longstanding commitment to research into
all the blood cancers, including lymphoma and myeloma - not just
leukaemia.
.... so please donate some money today.
03/26/2010
Beefy's walk for Leukaemia Research
With this post I would like the opportunity to promote one particular person who is dedicated to raising awareness for Leukaemia Research and also raising as much money as he possibly can. Sir Ian Botham did his first walk for Leukaemia research twenty-five years ago and this year,marking Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research's fiftieth anniversary.
He will be walking through ten towns for ten consecutive days,starting each days walk at Marks and Spencer stores,each day a child with Leukaemia will be walking with him.
I've taken this information from his web-site :-
Beefy’s 25th Anniversary Walk 10-19th April 2010
Sir Ian Botham is walking to beat childhood leukaemia 25 years after his first legendary walk from John O’Groats to Land’s End.
One child with leukaemia will join him each day to start the walk – the children will gather in London on 4th March to meet Beefy ahead of April’s walk.
Ian Shepherd, 5 – will join Beefy on the 10 April in Manchester
Ian Shepherd was just three years old when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia after collapsing at playgroup. Ian from Stockport, responded well to treatment at The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and is currently undergoing maintenance chemotherapy which he is due to finish in 18 months time. Mum, Claire, says: “Ian’s a right little character: the treatment has been difficult and stressful at times but he’s been amazing, so strong”.
Jack Groom, 8 - will join Beefy on the 11 April in Birmingham
Jack Groom from Norton Canes was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2006 after doctors ordered blood tests to investigate a persistent infection. Jack, now eight, suffered some rare side effects to chemotherapy. The punishing treatment damaged the nerves in Jack’s legs meaning that he now uses a wheelchair to travel long distances. Linda says: “Jack’s dealt fantastically with everything. He’s just a happy little boy who doesn’t let things get him down - most of the time he takes the chair for a walk rather than sitting in it!”
Maddi Green, 10 – will join Beefy on the 12 April Worcester
Maddi Green from Worcester was diagnosed with leukaemia in February 2008. Despite losing her long brown hair to chemo, Maddi is doing well and, poignantly, is due to finish her treatment in April, the same month as Beefy’s walk. Dad Jerry says: “We will be walking with Sir Ian Botham to raise money and awareness for the charity – because we will never forget that single day that changed our lives.”
Lauren Manning was only four when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Lauren from Bristol had become withdrawn and prone to falling asleep and when doctors ordered an urgent blood test they discovered she had blood cancer. Lauren’s treatment was an extremely anxious time for the family, but Lauren has responded well to treatment and has been in remission since January. Mum Nicky says: “Lauren can’t wait to meet Sir Ian Botham, if it wasn’t for him we might be telling a very different story.
Tom Cowpe (6) - will join Beefy 14 April in Winchester
Tom Cowpe, who will be joining Beefy in Winchester, was just five years old when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Mum, Sam, sought medical advice after Tom’s temperature began to fluctuate and he struggled to make it through a day at school because of tiredness. Tom has endured intensive chemotherapy and bouts of pneumonia but has remained strong and is due to finish treatment in January 2012. Sam says: “Tom has been through years of pain and discomfort but he’s just got on with it. He’s been brilliant. Everyone at the hospital thinks he’s such a star”.
Sam Masters (7) – will join Beefy 15 April in Epsom
Sam Masters, from Fetcham was four years old when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. After a bruise to his neck developed into a lump, Sam was sent to hospital by his doctor to begin the treatment which he will complete later this year. The ordeal has left Sam’s parents determined to help beat childhood leukaemia. Mum Debbie says: “When we first heard the news we were just so angry – it shouldn’t have happened to our little boy, it shouldn’t happen to any child”.
Grace Davies (5) – will join Beefy 16 April in Reading
Grace Davies from Thatcham was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in February 2008. When strange marks started appearing all over Grace’s body, her anxious parents took her to A&E, where they learned she had blood cancer. Grace was just three years old. Though painful, Grace’s treatment has been successful and will be coming to an end in April. Dad, Paul says: “Grace is doing really well. The effects of chemotherapy are truly devastating and no child should have to go through what we’ve seen Grace go through.
Bradley Smith (6) – will join Beefy 17 April in Milton Keynes
Bradley Smith from Milton Keynes was four when he collapsed at home in 2007 and was subsequently diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.? After battling through 14 months of chemotherapy, Bradley is now on a maintenance program scheduled to conclude in December 2010. Mum Arwen says, “Bradley’s been absolutely amazing. He’s been taking everything in his stride. We’re all really looking forward to joining Sir Ian on the walk so no child in the future has to go through this pain.”
Maisie Rose Speller (4) - will join Beefy 18 April in Chelmsford
Three-year-old Maisie Rose Speller, from Braintree near Chelmsford was a toddler when she was diagnosed with leukaemia and taken for intensive treatment at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital. Maisie’s depleted immune system has left her vulnerable to other problems like shingles and chicken pox, but she is doing well and due to finish her treatment later this year. Dad Matthew says: “The work that Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research does is so invaluable, but we need strive for 100 percent survival – that’s why we’re joining Beefy”.
Joe Smale (12) - will join Beefy 19 April in London
Twelve-year-old Joe Smale, from Chiswick has battled leukaemia twice. First diagnosed with leukaemia, aged two, Joe immediately underwent an intensive course of treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital. The three years of treatment were initially successful, but in 2007 the family were dealt a terrible shock when it emerged that the leukaemia had returned. The second period in hospital was extremely tough for Joe, who’s now in remission, because he was old enough to understand his condition. Debbie says: “While survival rates have improved – we’re still not there yet. We need 100% success.”
Check out Sir Ian Bothams route and go along and support him!
03/24/2010
A Crocman joke for you ......
This guy walks into a bar, carrying a crocodile and a chicken. He sets them down on the stool next to him, and says to the (uncertain-looking) bartender "I'll have a Scotch and Soda." Then the crocodile says "And I'll have a Whiskey Sour." The (dumbfounded) bartender gasps "That's incredible; I've never seen a crocodile that could talk!" And the guy says "He can't; the chicken is a ventriloquist."
03/22/2010
03/19/2010
Worthing Birdman 2009
The next available date for the competition was August 23rd 2009 and we had automatic entry because of the cancellation the previous year. Because of having to go for a "dip" the previous year ( see previous blog) for the press , the Crocman's outfit had a few salt stains on it - so we decided to do a makeover and "bling" the Crocman !! My mad idea was to hand sew lots ( and lots) of shiny scales all over the boiler suit,nearly 1000 in all. But it was a fantastic effect when the sun shone on him !! We even managed 2nd place in the Fancy Dress competition.
People came from far and wide to see a crocodile fly !! Well,they probably came to watch a few other people too,including Ian Usher ,who sold his life on eBay and was currently taking the challenge of 100 goals in 100 weeks (scroll down the page to see his Birdman blog), and Jason Bradbury and Ortis Deley from The Gadget Show ,who made their own flying machine.
We raised £1600 for Leukaemia Research ...... but this year plan to raise a lot,lot more !!
Coming soon - Worthing Crocman does The Golden-Eye bungee jump !!
Worthing Birdman 2008
After losing David to such a fast and devastating disease,we decided that we had to try and raise as much money as possible for Leukaemia Research.On July 13th of 2008 our eldest daughter decided to compete in the Leukaemia Research London Bikeathon,doing the thirteen mile route ... but unfortunately she took a wrong turning and ended up doing the twenty-six mile route !! She raised £2000 !!!
The same year Worthing won the right to hold "The International Birdman Competition" from Bognor,due to the fact that there had been a fire on the pier and it was deemed too short and therefore dangerous to "fly" from.So Andy decided to raise more money by "flying" off the end of the pier dressed as a giant crocodile !!
We made the outfit out of a boiler suit and modelled the head from chicken wire and papier mache!!
From this ......
To this ..........
But unfortunately,on the day itself the weather gods were not on our side.The very strong winds combined with a very high tide caused the pier to be closed and the competition cancelled.Because film crews and journalists from all around the world were in town,the fancy dress flyer's were "encouraged" to take a dip for the cameras !!
03/17/2010
Worthing Crocman ?? What's it all about ?
On Christmas 2005 David Headworth (brother and uncle to us) and Marlynne (his wife to be) were exploring Australia. We sent them out a Christmas package to open on the beach on Christmas Day, which apart from an array of crackers, silly hats etc included an inflatable 6ft crocodile (shown here with David).
It obviously created lots of strange looks and much fun for the day for David and Marlynne, and it has become a part of our family's 'folklore'.
So you see our choice of a crocodile was an easy decision really, and now you know why it means so much to our family!
Unfortunately,In December 2007, David died prematurely of a rare leukaemia aged just 40. In the course of 8 months, David had his 40th Birthday, was diagnosed with a rare and acute form of the disease, got married, was there for the birth of his first child and then passed away two weeks before Christmas.He didn't get a chance to see his son grow up. I want to raise the money to help make sure that other leukaemia sufferers, get a chance of long term remission from some of the rarer forms of this nasty disease.
Last year Worthing Crocman 'flew' in the Worthing Birdman Competition,raising £1600 for Leukaemia Research
Please read on to find out what Worthing Crocman is up to next ......
About Worthing Crocman
Worthing Crocman is the brainwave of the Headworth family ! Please follow Worthing Crocman's blog and keep up with his antics ! Want to know more ?
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