Joseph
Bowen is a 2 year old who has Infant ALL (Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). He has been
battling this since he was only 6 months old, in April 2011. We all hope that
his treatment will stop in April 2013, 2 years off suffering will be taken down
a level! He and his family (Mummy Celine, Daddy Steve and Big Brother Isaac)
are very inspirational people, been helping to raise money for CLIC Sargent, as
well as their jobs, looking after Joseph, Hospital visits & Stays etc.
Their fundraising has included auctions, attending charity balls for Joseph in
his honor Marathons and even jumping out off a plane!! His mummy also updates
his progress on twitter @josephs_journey and writes a blog about his progress!
Joseph is cared for at Southampton General
Hospital in 1 out of 22 specialist wards in the UK! As well as making a bid for
an item here, you can make a donation straight into Josephs CLIC Sargent
especially for you fund here www.bmycharity.com/josephbowensjourney
The Words off Celine & Steven Bowen:
'In April 2011 our son, Joseph was diagnosed with Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, a rare cancer which affects only 25 infants in the UK every year. He was a few days short of 6 months old.
'In April 2011 our son, Joseph was diagnosed with Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, a rare cancer which affects only 25 infants in the UK every year. He was a few days short of 6 months old.
What was meant to be a chest infection, turned out to be something nobody could have ever envisaged. Our perfect little boy, whom we had waited so long for, had cancer. This sort of thing happened to other people, not us. An initial bone marrow biopsy revealed his body was awash with 98% Leukaemic cells. Had we waited another 24-48 hours, we were told he wouldn’t have survived; something which doesn’t bear thinking about. For the next eight months - as Joseph ploughed through his intensive treatment - normal, happy family life was replaced by a world of central lines, alarms, regular observations, blood tests, the ghastly effects of steroids, oxygen, bald heads, naso gastric tubes, IV drugs, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, bone marrow biopsies, lumbar punctures and horrendous back to back infections.
We feel very strongly that, had it not been for the practical, emotional and financial support of the national charity CLIC Sargent, our family would have found this journey a lot less bearable. Even the simplest of tasks, in the initial weeks following Joseph’s diagnosis, was like wading through mud. That little bit of guidance from an understanding third party helped re-establish some sort of normality, particularly for the sake of our other son, Isaac. Sarah, our CLIC Sargent social worker, based at Piam Brown is such a perceptive and genuine lady, who right from the beginning of our journey, exhibited the ability to always say just the right things, no matter what the scenario. Our dealings with her alone prompted us to choose CLIC Sargent as the charity we wish to devote what time we can to. It has proved to be such a positive outlet for us.
We want to take this opportunity to wholeheartedly thank Jess for the time and energy she has devoted to the organisation of this auction. We are truly touched by her commitment, which is heightened by the fact we have yet to actually meet! This example of goodwill by a perfect stranger has certainly helped restore our faith in humanity. We ask that you please dig deep and help make this auction a massive success. All money raised will go to Joseph's CLIC Sargent fund.
Thank you.
Steven and Celine Bowen xx'
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