It’s hard to keep your sense of humour at the best of times, let alone when you receive devastating news.
However writer John Underwood, who recently discovered that he has a very rare form of cancer, has done just that.
Eventually, after spending a whole holiday vomiting, and after his worried girlfriend begged him to consider that he might be very ill, John conceded that he needed to visit his GP.
He was referred to A&E, seen by three doctors, and taken to an urgent care ward.
There, he was diagnosed with late-stage Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, an incredibly rare cancer of the lymphatic system.
But John decided that he was a) going to try very hard not to die, and b) turn his diagnosis into something positive.
As a drip fed him his first round of chemotherapy drugs, John launched a JustGiving fundraising page in aid of the Anthony Nolan charity, who work to find stem cell and blood marrow donors for cancer patients.
John tweeted the page on the advice of his girlfriend, food blogger Ella Risbridger, and received over £1,000 in 45 minute.
Just two days later, he had raised over £20,000 for the cancer charity which matches blood cancer patients with cell transplants.
Hours later, he had raised £23,000.
The current total stands at an amazing £35,990.88.
Catherine Miles, Anthony Nolan’s director of fundraising, told The Telegraph that John and Ella had made ‘an incredible and unprecedented impact’.
“We’re so moved by the response they are getting and it’s been heartwarming to read through the donations from friends and strangers alike,” she said.
If you would like to help John to reach his new total of £50,000, please visit his Just Giving page now.
If you would like to follow John’s no-holds-barred, brutally honest, and often hilarious musings on his cancer diagnosis and treatment, please follow his blog at JMUnderwood.com.
ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO HELP?
Yes; why not consider signing up to the Anthony Nolan stem cell register yourself?
It’s a simple, painless process – very similar to giving blood.
Some people who donate report mild flu-like symptoms, but these usually vanish within a day or two.
Find out more here.