Dad's letter to people of Barry (From Barry And District News)

Dad's letter to people of Barry

SOME of you know me but most of you don't.

I'm writing this letter to ask for your help so please read on.

I was born in Barry and I have lived here for most of my life, except for a seven-year break when I served in the Navy.

The last three years have been difficult ones for my family and I.

Three years ago my son Jamie was diagnosed as suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

This led to Jamie, then aged just three, having to undergo a three-year course of chemotherapy to combat the disease.

Painful treatment followed, including numerous bone marrow biopsies, lumbar puncture procedures, as well as many injections and intravenous treatment leading to sickness, hair loss and joint pain.

Throughout all of this Jamie never complained and just got on with life, enjoying football with his big brother Sam who was always very protective and supportive.

Sadly, at the end of October 2003, Jamie's health began to deteriorate.

My wife Nicola and I moved into parents' accommodation in Llandough hospital which was provided and maintained by LATCH, the local children's cancer charity which does a fantastic job for the children and their families.

Our worst fears were confirmed on December 20, 2003, when we were informed that Jamie had indeed relapsed after two years of treatment and the only thing that could now save him was an intensive course of new chemotherapy followed by a full bone marrow transplant in Bristol.

The new treatment started on Christmas Eve 2003, and Jamie was moved to the high dependency unit at UHW (the Heath) on Christmas Day - when the treatment began to affect his heart.

Christmas Day 2003 was also Jamie's fifth birthday, so he never got to enjoy it and open all his Christmas and birthday presents.

Jamie did manage to fight on and he returned to his second home at Llandough - the Eileen Thompson unit.

However, it all proved too much for our little boy on January 13, 2004, when he contracted meningitis as a result of the chemotherapy and slipped into a coma.

Once again, he was transferred to the Heath Hospital (this time to intensive care) where he stayed for a week.

We were told that Jamie would not survive and he was taken back to Llandough where he passed away on January 20, 2004.

Hopefully you are thinking this is a sad story - but may also be wondering why I need your help.

Well, a good mate of mine Ceri Binding, who I have known most of my life, came up with a brainwave several months ago.

'Why don't we run in the 2005 London Marathon and raise money for charity?' he said. Actually he suggested it in an e-mail to me starting with the words 'Oi fatty, put that pie down and read this - you'll soon have the body of Adonis instead of a doughnut!'

So we applied to Children With Leukaemia, a charity based in Great Ormond Street Hospital, for a couple of their marathon places and were accepted.

Finally, Ceri and I have been issued with Children With Leukemia running vests - distinctive red, yellow and blue. You may see us running around town; I'll be the one lagging behind hyperventilating, while Ceri almost breaks into a sweat, so please stop and give me a lift home!

I am fed up with Barry and its people getting bad press: several television shows have been less than complimentary and have portrayed us in a poor light.

So I was thinking this might be an opportunity for the people of Barry to help myself and Ceri to show the world the good side of our town.

What I am requesting is that every household in Barry sponsors us for just £1 (or as much as you can give) in aid of Children With Leukaemia and LATCH.

The editor and staff at the Barry & District News have kindly agreed to help and you can send donations there.

I have been honoured to meet the children of Llandough and their families over the past few years and they never cease to amaze me with their courage, dignity and compassion for each other.

Thanks to Donna from the Ultimate Barbers in Vere Street, who has raised lots for LATCH already and who I shamefully forgot to mention at Jamie's funeral.

Also to my employers Dow Corning Ltd, whose long-term support meant I could spend time with Jamie.

And to our son Sam, who was a fantastic big brother, endured painful tests to volunteer his own bone marrow for Jamie and who we're very proud of.

Thanks for reading this. Please tell your friends, families and work colleagues.

Paul Adamson