URGENT FIG SPECIAL NEEDS CANCER APPEAL

Many thanks to Kismet and Savanna Friends who collected money in memorial to a friend and donated it to our cancer appeal, see Gill Frearson’s article about the FIG evening meal for more details of their help to FIG.

We have now met the mother of the young man with cancer and passed on the donations we have received to assist in all the extras needed for her son’s fight against cancer.  Gökhan fell seriously ill in October last year and an operation in Fethiye revealed bowel cancer of an advanced stage which required chemotherapy treatment following the surgery.  It took several weeks before a bed became available for a ‘green card’ patient at the Ege University Hospital in Izmir - apparently they have over 3,000 patients waiting for treatment.  In January he finally was allocated a bed and has been in hospital ever since.  An aggressive cancer is being treated with aggressive chemotherapy and he has had to receive one infusion/transplant of donated bone marrow cells, this being the treatment that required the expensive drugs not available to green card patients, he is most likely to require a further such treatment.

I am told by Gürcan Bey and his wife, who are giving the family considerable support, that Gökhan’s bravery and determination to overcome his disease has earned him the admiration of the hospital staff and a place in their hearts.  FIG is honoured to be able to pass on the concern and support for the community demonstrated by the collection made by the Kismet and Savanna friends.

FIG SPECIAL NEEDS CANCER APPEAL 09 06 08

Gökhan arrived back in Fethiye last Wednesday and is established in a suitable house with his mother to look after him.  Whilst the family has been well supported by friends and his working brothers give all they can afford, he is still in need of some extra support.  One main need, essential for the high hygiene requirements of his current state is a sun heating water system.  So far the cheapest suitable system, dealers will offer will cost 1,600 YTL and this is beyond the means of the family.  Gökhan also requires some more cooking vessels made of glass or stainless steel and a kettle, again preferably made of stainless steel.  He continues to be in high spirits and very pleased to be back with his family.  If anyone wishes to make any contribution to help Gökhan then please contact one of us.