As a result of his plight, the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Jersey Branch was created and, 10 years on, Calvin is celebrating the fundraisers that helped transform the way island youngsters with cancer are cared for.
When he was first diagnosed, Calvin needed treatment in Southampton. But the lack of suitable resources for teenagers prompted him and his mum, Irene, to establish Jersey branch of the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Calvin explained: “I was treated with babies. I was too young to go in the adult ward and there was nothing for teenagers. The only option was to go with the children. Don’t get me wrong, the care was exceptional whichever ward I was treated in, but the environment was not age appropriate.”
After hearing of the Teenage Cancer Trust, which is dedicated to create “world-class cancer services” for young people in the UK, providing life-changing care and support, through his nurses Calvin and his mum were inspired to launch a Jersey appeal for the charity. They brought the charity over to Jersey in 2008 and started a committee with the help of nurses from the Hospital’s Robin Ward.
Since then, the charity has raised £1.5 million, helping build the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at Southampton General Hospital which opened in 2013. It is opened to 16 to 24 year olds and has six in-patient beds and day care facilities. “It’s a colourful environment,” Calvin explained. “There are common rooms, pool tables, jukeboxes, tv. The ward also have individual rooms and rooms for outpatients for patients that come in for a quick treatment and then leave.”
Pictured: The Teenage Cancer Trust Unit opened at Southampton General Hospital in 2013. (Teenage Cancer Trust)
Calvin says that none of this would have been possible, if it hadn’t been for the generosity of islanders. “We really punch above our weight in terms of fundraising. People have been really generous with us. When we started the charity, we spoke to a lot of people, and of course Jersey being Jersey a lot of people knew my story. A lot of people relate to the charity because you don’t need to know a teenager who has cancer, you can relate to it no matter who you are.
“When a child or a teenager gets diagnosed, it is life changing for everyone involved. It is life changing for them, for their families, their friends. People have to make big sacrifices, they have to stop working to be available for the person. You can relate to how a family member would be affected. I might be biased but I think it is a great charity to support. Because when you get diagnosed, anything else that comes on top becomes a nightmare.”
But Calvin says local companies and firms have also been big allies in their fundraising efforts. He says that finance companies and banks have shown over the years they were willing to take the time to help them, by making donations, selling cakes, having dress down days or doing sponsored walks.
One of those to support the charity close to Calvin’s heart was Future Finance, which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary by reaffirming its commitment to supporting local charities. Over the decade, the company has paid out £9m to local organisations and charitable institutions including the Teenage Cancer Trust, Silkworth, Variety, the David Kirch Charitable Trust and Brightly, as well individual causes.
“We have generous individuals on the island,” Calvin said. “But it is no secret that charities wouldn’t do as well if it wasn’t for the companies who are able to give large amounts of money regularly.
“It’s not to take away from smaller businesses who might give us hampers or raffle prizes when needed. It all adds up. Smaller businesses do a lot too. The big companies and banks they do a world of good to us. If it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t do as good.”