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Most teenagers celebrate turning 18 and finishing their A-levels with a beach barbecue or a night out – but for Lachlan Ruddy, those plans were thwarted when he got a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma between two exams.
In the hope of raising money for young people's cancer charity Clic Sargent, and raising awareness among teens to get any suspicious lumps checked, Lachlan's father, Andy, has decided to shave his head – and has already generated more than £6,000 ahead of the 'bald' effort.
Lachlan was in the middle of his A-level exams when he was diagnosed – getting his prognosis one day and sitting an exam the next.
“He found out that he got cancer, got home and had to get ready for the next exam,” Andy explained.
Despite the shock, Lachlan, who starts chemotherapy on-island next week, has remained “pretty positive”, having caught what is a more easily treated type of cancer at a relatively early stage.
The news came as the family was still reeling from the Ruddy family's second child, 16-year-old Saskia, being diagnosed with lupus during the winter.
When she heard about her brother’s diagnosis, she joked that he “always has to steal the limelight”, Andy recalled.
After mum Alex opened up about her children's life-changing illnesses, and Andy's fundraiser, the family received floods of support.
Andy has already raised close to £7,000 ahead of his upcoming headshave, which is scheduled to take place at the end of July.
Explaining the why a headshave was his fundraiser of choice, Andy said: “I think with the headshave, he’s going to go through chemo and will lose hair – I'm not, but at least I can be a little part of it.”
Life is throwing lemons with child 2 diagnosed with lupus and child 1 now diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the middle of his A levels just before his 18th. Mr R is shaving his head to raise funds. I’m not. The world isn’t ready for bald Alex. https://t.co/IGn2bDNbGx
— Alex Ruddy (@jerseyruddy) July 3, 2023
He added that he was grateful to everyone who had reached out to offer support – particularly people who had gone through the same thing and had offered positive stories.
Clic Sargent Jersey supports young people – up to the age of 25 – and their families, both by providing grants for their travel to Southampton and by supporting them with logistics.
Young people under 17 can’t be treated for cancer on-island, and instead have to travel to the UK for treatment, most often to Southampton.
The charity provides £350 grants for families, which are not means-tested, as well as helping families in a crisis with payments such as mortgages.
Formed from the legacy left by the great conductor Malcolm Sargent, the charity has been on the island since 1974, and is now separate from its UK counterpart, Young Lives Vs Cancer.
Tess Watson, a case worker at the charity, said: “I think it’s incredibly brave of the family to share the diagnosis of their child... I am incredibly grateful to this family.
“We’re here on the island to support those families who have a child with a cancer diagnosis.”
Above all, Andy wants young people to remember not to put off seeking help if they see or feel something unusual.
“[Lachlan] had a lump on his neck and he did something about it.
“He didn’t leave it – he got it checked out. He noticed it early and it wasn’t too long before he wanted to get it check out by a doctor.”
Andy added: “Don’t be worried about getting things checked out.”
To donate to Andy’s fundraiser, click here.
To learn more about the work of Clic Sargent – or to seek support – click here.
Pictured - top: Lachlan celebrating his 18th birthday with his dad.
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