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The initial target of £500,000 was reached last night.
Well done everyone who contributed !! :ok: |
Fantastic news.
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Thanks to the efforts of a BIG HEARTED Scot in the Sandpit, several thousand quid were raised in the last week or two. Well done that man.:D
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Awww you're making me blush mate! We did what we could under the constraints that we have out here. Once all the money is in, I will send it to the appeal. Thanks for your donation and support. Go WEE V!!!! ;)
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First Post
Long time lurker, first time poster (this is probably the single most important post I've seen on PPrune)
Am happy to donate a decent sum for this great cause. Can you please PM me to co-ordinate? cheers cx101 |
I'm certain it's just poor journalism from the Daily Record, but the way this article is written suggests that the family are only thanking the donations made within Scotland! Vanessa Riddle Appeal passes £500k target in just seven weeks as family thank big-hearted Scots - The Daily Record I'm certain that's not the case! Have a look at post #22 :ok: I pointed this out to the Daily Record previously but they still are biased towards their Scottish readership. cx101 PM on the way !! |
Any update on Vanessa's treatment??
Spamcan |
A fair question and more than happy to provide an update.
First of all, as you might expect, the fund raising activities have slowed down and money now trickles in slowly. However, that is not unexpected, and neither is it a bad thing, since the fund is sitting at almost £850,000. All of this has been raised by ordinary people such as those here on PPRuNe. That sum of money is immense in any ones terms and has far exceeded the expectations of the family and the friends involved in the organisation of the appeal. A big THANK YOU to everyone who has donated or made an effort to assist. That money is held by the charity and is solely used for medical expenses, as mentioned before. In the event that Vanessa does not require the full amount, anything extra is held in a ringfenced charity account for a time period, and after that is released either to the charity central funds or to another child's individual appeal. Not one penny is wasted or goes anywhere except towards medical expenses. In terms of treatment, Vanessa attended hospital in London during most of May, receiving radiotherapy treatment. This went well and her 'hot spots' were much reduced, preparing her for further expensive treatment abroad. Whilst this was going on, her parents visited doctors in Germany who have been trying a new procedure which uses 'stem cells' to replace the damaged ones in the patients body. Although relatively new, the success rate has so far been very favourable and currently at a much higher rate of success than treatments available in the USA, albeit the sample rate is still very small in comparison. After discussions in Germany and advice from medical consultants in the UK, the family have decided to try Vanessa with treatment in Germany in the first instance. Travel and medical costs will of course be lower, but the decision has been made on medical grounds and not those of cost. They are gearing up for Vanessa to commence this treatment in Germany, commencing in August 2012. Whilst everyone hopes this treatment will be a complete success, doing it this way does not remove the possibility of attending further treatment in the USA (which uses a different method of treatment) should things not turn out as well as hoped. For that reason, the sum of £850K raised may indeed ALL be required to help save Vanessa. Although her treatment has been completed for now, pending the trips to Germany, she has still not had an easy time. After London, all her antibodies and immunities had been destroyed and she picked up a serious infection which her body was unable to fight. This resulted in her being rushed to hospital in Glasgow, where she had a particularly severe reaction to the anti-biotics and drugs being used to treat her and was very seriously ill as a result. Fortunately, the medical staff were able to stabilise her and treat her over a week to kill all infection and get her fit again, but it was very scary for the family at the time. Since then, Vanessa has continued to be a happy smiling 12 year old, taking part in many events with her schoolfriends and family. If she can have another month or so without complications, the next battle with her disease will take place in Germany, where real progress can potentialy be made. Thanks for the continued interest. The family are happy to answer questions, as best they can, at any time you have them. |
Hi folks,
The next step in Vanessa's journey has begun !! With acknowledgement to the Daily Record who carried the story and have helped the Appeal immensely, and of course with thanks also due to everyone on PPRuNe who has helped as well !! Vanessa is going to Germany !! http://i2.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming...ssa+Riddle.jpg BATTLING Vanessa Riddle is off to Germany tomorrow for life-saving treatment. And the brave 12-year-old and her family yesterday thanked Daily Record readers for giving her the chance of survival. Vanessa has been put through intensive treatment since she was diagnosed with the aggressive cancer neuroblastoma in 2009. But her family are pinning their hopes of beating the disease once and for all on a stem cell transplant to be carried out in Germany. They have raised £876,000 since launching their appeal to pay for the treatment – with a target of £500,000 – in January. Vanessa’s dad Chris said yesterday: “It’s a fantastic achievement that we’ve now got here and it’s down to the dedication of the people of Scotland and the Record readers, who have helped us to raise the funds we need to access the treatment Vanessa deserves to get. “Doctors have told us we have enough money to cover the treatment. It will be ringfenced for any future treatment Vanessa needs, then anything left over will go back into the charity to help others.” The treatment will be carried out by Professor Peter Lang and his team at Tubingen Hospital, near Stuttgart. Chris said: “Vanessa will start her treatment on Tuesday and this is why we did all the crazy fundraising. We’ve spoken with doctors and we’re now at the point where things have to happen.” Vanessa has had a course of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the UK since she suffered a relapse late last year. She is currently, as far as the medical equipment in the UK can see, clear of the disease. But doctors have told the family the chances of the UK treatment working in the long term are very small and it is likely that the cancer will just be held at bay for a time before returning. Without treatment, they put her chances of survival at less than 10 per cent. Chris said: “In December, when we were told Vanessa’s cancer had returned, doctors gave us the option of chemo in Scotland, radiation in London, a combination of both, or nothing. “Doing nothing was heavily pushed on to us. The way they sell it to you is that the chances of it working are very small. We had to ask, ‘Do we really want to put Vanessa through it?’ “Vanessa is quite calm and cool about everything. We decided to go for it and she is OK. She didn’t have a great time but had we not put her through the treatment, she wouldn’t be here today.” The family had at first considered seeking treatment in the US but decided on Germany after researching what would be best for Vanessa. Chris said: “The German doctors presented a treatment that appeared to be a better fit for Vanessa at a meeting in early March.” The initial treatment, which involves a stem cell transplant, will take two to three months, with follow-up visits to Germany for six months after that. The process is not without dangers, but Chris and wife Connie are optimistic about Vanessa’s future once the operation has taken place. He said: “The Germans have been doing this for a number of years with leukaemia patients and only started doing it in the past few years with neuroblastoma patients. “They have treated 26 patients in three years, nine of whom have completed a whole programme. Six kids have responded very well and it has either cleared the disease completely or stopped it in its tracks. “We are not looking at huge numbers, but fairly big percentages. A lot of people are talking about it in the medical profession.” At her monthly follow-up visits, Vanessa will be given antibody therapy to bolster her immune system. Chris said: “We hope this is the end of the treatment and that it will have the desired effect. “Connie, Vanessa and myself are going over together to Germany while Olivia, our 16-year-old daughter will be staying at home.” Vanessa is now booked into her hospital room in Germany. She had the tour of Tübingen yesterday and loved the town, she loved going in and out the shops with Connie and she had a lovely meal out last night which she really enjoyed. Tomorrow she goes into theatre for an access line so the docs can give all her medicines easily, should be a breeze for her as she's been round this block many times before! I'll keep you posted as we go folks...... |
Latest update from Vanessa's dad.
A little bit of an update on Vanessa folks....... She's now on day 6 of her treatment here in Tübingen, Germany, so far all is going to plan, which is nice ;) She had one day at the begining where she felt a bit rough, but since then all good. She has been getting her chemo for a couple of days now in preparation for her stem cell transplant which will take place in a week or so's time. Connie is the stem cell donor, and will have to get injections 3 x a day for a few days before donating her stem cells.....she's really happy about this!! ;) Vanessa's very happy to be on her own in her hospital room, in fact she's positively delighted to be on her own, Connie and I get thrown out when her pals face time or Skype her! We've got to go and sit in the ward kitchen....boy chat me thinks!....wee minx ;) Once again folks, I'll keep you posted as we progress.... Chris Riddle |
1st day of stem cell treatment !! :ok:
Well folks, the deed is done......wee V has today received fresh stem cells from Connie and the whole procedure went without a hitch, quite an experience really ;) As reported yesterday, Connie gave her stem cells over 2 days (yesterday & today), a process which took some 12 hours to complete and proved to be quite taxing (for me!)......I think Connie was fine really and just wanted sympathy ;) She donated what the Docs call a "Megadose" 14 Million Cells, which pretty much means what it says on the tin.....she made me tell you this folks!! :) It then took only 15 mins to give the 2 syringes to Vanessa! This was the moment we had been waiting for. YOUR relentless fundraising efforts and fantastic donations have made this moment possible; it really was quite an experience watching the Docs infuse these cells! We now sit and wait for Vanessa's new stem cells to graft to her body and begin to rebuild her a new immune system, a process which will take many weeks. As usual folks, I'll keep you posted on progress, but for now, all is GOOD ;) Chris Riddle — at Kinderklinik Tübingen. Connie donating stem cells. https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...64363448_n.jpg Half a Megadose !! https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...54434072_n.jpg Wee V receives her gift of life, thanks to the generous donations of everyone. |
Some more updates from the family.
6th SEPTEMBER Little bit of an update folks......Vanessa is now on day +9; i.e. 9days after getting Connie's 'Megadose' stem cells back! Connie made me say this again !! so far, all is still GOOD! There have been a few days where she has felt poorly since Day 0, but the promised decline doesn't seem to have arrived, in fact her blood counts were very good today and would appear to be climbing, this is good news. Let's hope things continue going in this direction! Her hair is now beginning to come out; however, she was expecting this and doesn't seem to be that bothered (outwardly anyway). She has a couple of hats that she'll be wearing when she gets a chance to go out for an hour or two. Today for her breakfast, Vanessa had a "Bacon Sarnie", not your typical German breaky!! the doctors and nurses do think this is a bit odd, but secretly, i think would like one !! Most days, the physiotherapist has been visiting to give Vanessa some exercises to do, step machine, bike and breathing exercises; keeps her strength up and breaks the boredom a little. I've been trying to get Connie on the bike for a wee pic, but she is resisting somewhat!! The road ahead is still long and as usual, there is always that degree of uncertainty. However, we are very pleased with Vanessa's progress so far and will continue to keep you posted as we go.......thanks for reading folks ;) — at Kinderklinik Tübingen 8th SEPTEMBER Vanessa's blood counts were up today, have been for 3 days now; so the deal with the Docs is, she is allowed out for 1 hour !! So, after 4 weeks cooped up in her hospital room, off we went to the Market Square on a lovely sunny day, she loved it! (almost as much as Connie & I!)........ https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...14461216_n.jpg TODAY - 13th SEPTEMBER Good news folks...Vanessa has been discharged from hospital :) we are all delighted with this news as you can imagine. Her response so far and her blood counts all point in the right direction, so the Docs decided to discharge her to stay at the charity house Connie and I stay at. She will attend the hospital most days to have bloods taken in order to monitor her progress, however, its great to think that this is a step closer to coming home! This means the first phase of the treatment is going to plan. We are very aware that we have many months ahead with the next phase, the Antibody phase, however to get to this point without any major problems is a big relief. Thanks again folks for your support on Face Book and on @vanessariddle (Vanessa's tw1tter feed) she is bowled over by all your comments, she really does love them all, keep the comments and support coming :) updates to follow.....(Chris) |
Wee V has been progressing fantastically well, so much so that she can come home for a while. First, an update from her dad, and then an article showing the kindness of people in making it all happen.
Well folks, some good news......wee V is on her way HOME! The doctors are delighted with her progress so far, she seems to be rewriting the rule book over in Germany; she broke the record for getting discharged from the hospital after treatment, record had stood since 1996 the Docs said! SMASHED......She's a bloody fighter for sure. She flys home on Thursday night. The flying part was a worry last week for Connie and I; all down to the fact that she has no T Cells in her body yet. Basically this means that she has no immune system and is susceptible to any infections (with potentially lethal consequences!) and as we all know the worst place to be in this position is a commercial airliner! So, after a 2 day tw1tter campaign to find a private flight, we now have one! Yep, Air Charter Scotland & Jet Logic, 2 Scottish based aviation companies have donated a private jet (and the pilot and crew!) to fly her direct from Stuttgart to Prestwick Airport.......2 AMAZING companies for sure. Connie and I are absolutely delighted that's she seems to be progressing so well, still many months of treatment to go, however, we're moving in the right direction for sure. I'll keep you posted and thanks for checking in..... Beaming cancer fight girl Vanessa Riddle: My dad's jealous he won't be on my private jet home THE Ayrshire youngster required a private flight home due to the fact her low immune system leaves her vulnerable to infection and local firm Jet Logic stepped in. VANESSA RIDDLE was overjoyed last night as she was preparing to fly home by private jet. The 12-year-old cancer battler, who has been receiving potentially life-saving stem cell treatment in Germany, tweeted: “I’m coming home on my own jet. WooooHooo.” Record readers helped raise almost £900,000 for Vanessa’s treatment for neuroblastoma – and doctors are delighted with her progress since she had a stem cell transplant about four weeks ago. But her immune system remains low, which could make her vulnerable to infection if she travels on a busy scheduled flight. On Friday, we reported how her dad Chris tweeted followers to request a private jet to bring Vanessa home to Loans, Ayrshire. His message was retweeted to multi-millionaires including Simon Cowell, Sir Richard Branson and Lord Alan Sugar and offers of help soon flooded in. Yesterday, Chris revealed that Finnish F1 racing driver Heikki Kovalainen offered the family use of his private yet. But in the end an offer from Ayrshire’s Jet Logic and East Kilbride’s Air Charter Scotland suited their needs best. Chris said: “I couldn’t believe the response we got within just a few hours after the article appeared in the Daily Record. “I also received a private message from Richard Branson saying he was unable to divert a flight for Vanessa but that he wanted to make a nice donation to our fund.” Chris thanked Jet Logic and Air Charter Scotland for their “fantastic gesture”, adding: “It just shows how everyone in Scotland has got behind Vanessa.” Vanessa will fly from Stuttgart airport’s private terminal with her mum Connie and granny Marie Holden tomorrow evening. Her dad will be waiting at Prestwick, where they are due to touch down shortly after 7.15pm. Vanessa tweeted her thanks to the companies who are providing the brand-new six-seater Cessna Citation, adding: “I think dad’s well jel that he’s not getting on it.” Chris said: “Vanessa’s been winding me up and sent me a message saying she thought I’d be jealous. We’re doing this for medical reasons but it’s nice that she will get a bit of comfort from it too.” Jet Logic boss Leigh Wilson, whose dad works as an air traffic controller with Vanessa’s grandad, said: “I got a call on Friday evening from my sister asking if there was anything we could do. “I spoke with Air Charter Scotland and we worked it out to get Vanessa home. “We were happy to help because she is such an inspiration.” https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...86756341_n.jpg Daily Record Story Here |
This brave, tough young lady has put up with more medical trouble in her short life than many of us ever will in our 3 score years + 10. She is an inspiration and never seen without a smile! Well done and keep fighting
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Hi 10W,
We all at Air Charter Scotland are looking forward to flying Vanessa and family home tomorrow, its for such a worthy cause so we really had to get involved. Our call sign is EDC424V tomorrow with the V being for Vanessa! Dep EDDS 1600 utc ETA at EGPK 1810 utc. Listen out for the Saltire 424V :0) Kind Regards D |
I reckon it will be DCT PIK somewhere south of GAM.
Safe flight Saltire |
If 10W contacts Maastricht DECO Sup I'm sure an even better direct can be obtained.
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Thanks everyone, I am sure we in the ATC world can do our bit to get the flight home as quickly as possible.
Deeko01 Long time no see. Great gesture from you guys and hopefully we can repay the favour some day !! |
Hi Guys,
Vanessa now home having landed safely at 1818 UTC thank you ATC for the directs tonight which were very much appreciated!! The family seemed to really enjoy the flight and it couldn't have gone any better. 10W, nice to hear from you hope you are well!!? Kind Regards D |
The VIP pax
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...58251859_n.jpg Wee Vanessa ... and 'her' jet https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...41908793_n.jpg Couldn't make the poor girl go home by bus, taxi, train, or her dad's car after arriving on a private jet, could we ? :) Fire up the Bentley ... https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...15682225_n.jpg |
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