How we help children and adults with health conditions
When Bradley lost his battle with Stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma in 2017, he left a legacy that is still touching people’s lives today. He inspired thousands who read about or watched his story across the media – and that includes me and the rest of our family!
Despite the struggles from fighting cancer, Bradley never allowed his condition stop him caring for others. It always amazed me how he would look out for other poorly children when he was on the ward in hospital.
My baby’s heart never seemed to tire despite the draining effects of fatigue that resulted from treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, operations, stem cell transplants and immunotherapy. I know some adults who wouldn’t have coped with all that, but Bradley just kept going and always brought joy to the ward.
It was his kindness that planted a seed and inspired me to create the Bradley Lowery Foundation. The charity helps families who desperately want to help their loved ones who are facing similar health battles.
Originally, I started a fundraising campaign back in 2013 to help try and get my baby to the USA to take part in the Bivalent Vaccine trial, which was only available at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City. There wasn’t any treatment available here in the UK.
The amount of support we received from people across the country and the world meant an amazing £1.38million was raised. It was a result of these donations that the Bradley Lowery Foundation was launched.
Not only did the appeal raise money, Bradley also raised lots of awareness of other children whose young lives are devastated by cancer, particularly Neuroblastoma.
What does the Bradley Lowery Foundation do?
When we launched the charity, we wanted to help the families of children or adults who have to face so much pain when their loved ones are diagnosed with an illness or condition. It’s so hard because, as a family member, you feel powerless. But you can also feel guilty about being emotional because you’re not the one fighting the illness or condition.
It is especially difficult when the treatment or equipment needed to help ease the pain or treat the illness or condition is not available or covered by the NHS.
This is where the Bradley Lowery Foundation can help. We exist to give people with illnesses and conditions the help they need to raise essential funds towards treatment or equipment.
How we’ve helped children with illnesses and conditions
We work closely with families and fundraisers who need help accessing treatment and/or equipment that is not yet available on the NHS. But we go further than that.
Families who face the news that the person they love has an illness or condition requiring medical intervention need more than financial help. That’s why the Foundation also offers emotional support, guidance, liaising with hospitals and arranging travel, such as flights and transfers.
Over the years, we have successfully raised funds for dozens of children suffering from a range of conditions. For example, Sean suffers from severe Cerebral Palsy. We helped raise £20,000 so that Sean could fly to the USA for a round of stem cell treatment. His mum and dad were so happy with the results, they are planning to take him again for further treatment.
We help adults, too
Although the foundations are rooted in helping children, we want to help families of adults who are also facing health battles. Treatments for conditions and illnesses in adults are not always available on the NHS. There are many reasons why, such as clinical trials not being completed before evaluation by the body that agrees to include such treatments, which is the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
We believe that everyone with an illness or condition should access the very latest treatments available regardless of age.
And this is why we launched our adult services to support adults fundraising for treatment in 2021.
Equipment is made a lot more available for adults, but some treatments – for example, some cancer treatments – are not. After being contacted by many adults who themselves have been looking for support, we searched the market and found there was very little for adults who are looking to access private treatment.
After a short board meeting of our Trustees, it was decided that we could also offer our services to adults who are looking to access treatments that are not available on the NHS.
It is remarkable how much the Foundation has grown – and it all started from my baby’s courage and determination. We continued to be inspired by it and like Bradley, will always stay focused on helping others.
If you would like to know more about our fundraising to help families of those fighting conditions or illnesses, contact us today.
