Llewelyn-Bowen family to help raise over £20,000 for Gloucestershire blood cancer patients
September was blood cancer awareness month
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and his family are teaming up with Linc Charity to help raise over £20,000 to support blood cancer patients and their families across Gloucestershire.
In recognition of Blood Cancer Awareness Month, held every September to raise the profile of the disease it's been announced that the Cotswold Snowball event will be back for a second year this November.
Despite being the UK’s third biggest cancer killer with 40,000 people diagnosed with it every year and 250,000 people currently living with the disease, blood cancer does not get the attention of other forms of the disease.
Linc has helped provides financial help through its Linc Fund and psychological care through its award-winning clinical psychologist team, working in partnership with Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to improve patient well-being.
The charity also funds research nurses through its Linc Research programme, enabling NHS patients in the county to take part in pioneering clinical trials and benefit from treatments not previously available.
Tom was supported by LInc when he was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2020 at just 27:
“I was diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and put into treatment right away, being told to head to Cheltenham Oncology immediately and to pack for at least 6 weeks.
“I had aggressive blood cancer with a specific chromosome that made it harder to cure using conventional chemotherapy. The only solution was to have a stem cell transplant as soon as possible - thankfully, my brother was a match which helped save my life.
“Due to being in an intensive stage of treatment, I was unable to return to work until 18-months post treatment and had spent a good chunk of our savings on just trying to get by. During that time Linc supported me psychologically and financially, advising me on what benefits or grants I could apply for.”
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and his wife, Jackie, who are both patrons of the charity, are hosting the event on 29th November at Ingleside House in Cirencester.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen said:
“It is a tremendous honour to once again host the Cotswold Snowball in aid of Linc Charity.
“This wonderful evening is all about bringing people together through glamour, generosity and gin to make a real difference. Blood cancer is often an underestimated adversary, but the work that Linc carries out provides hope, comfort, and essential support for patients and their families. By joining us at the Cotswold Snowball, guests are not only enjoying a memorable night, but also helping to fund the care and services that are so urgently needed.”
Louise Neal, Chief Executive of Linc, added:
“As a charity we rely entirely on voluntary donations and the money raised through our shops, to fund our essential work. Every penny helps us provide crucial emotional and financial support to patients and their families and allows us to grow our services to meet the demand.
We are constantly reminded of the difference this makes in people’s lives, which is why it means so much to see our charity supported through such a special occasion.”
You can find out more about The Cotswold Snowball here.