Former cancer patient has a spring in his step for cash

Published on Wednesday 2 April 2008 10:22

A FORMER cancer patient will be taking part in a sponsored walk to raise money for other sufferers at the Sick Kids Hospital.

Aaron Whellan, 13, will be taking part in the six-mile Edinburgh Scottish Walk in support of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The TCT wants to install a unit for teenagers at the hospital where young inpatients can relax, away from the wards.

Aaron, from Duns in the Borders, who is being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, will take part in the event with his family on June 22. His mother Elaine said: "Since Aaron's diagnosis in December 2006, we have become actively involved in raising money for children's cancer charities.

"This year we have chosen Teenage Cancer Trust as Aaron has recently turned into a teenager and would benefit from receiving his treatment alongside other teenagers. Specialist units locally would give the teenagers the chance to carry on life as normal as possible."

The Who guitarist Roger Daltrey, who is a patron of the TCT, launched Scotland's first Teenage Cancer Trust unit at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow last year, and wants a similar one to be built in Edinburgh.

Simon Davies, chief executive of TCT, added: "It is vital that we give every young cancer sufferer in Scotland the best treatment.

"To do this we need funds, and so would encourage anyone with a spring in their step to sign up and take on the walk in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust in Scotland."