Thanking 2022 MMS supporters through donations to 2 charities
Dear MMS Supporter,
I hope that you are well, wherever you are.
As 2022 draws to a close, I wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks for your support over the past year. I am so grateful for the interest you have shown in my mental health work and have enjoyed our emails and conversations immensely. There is so much for me to learn about the role of mental health – everyone is unique and has their own path to follow.
From our conversations, you might remember that MMS (and my cash-paying clients) donate to two charities, both of which are close to my heart, and my brain:
The Glioblastoma (brain tumour) Research Group
A Colombian orphanage – La Casa de la Madre y el Nino.
I have donated £1,000 to each charity from the income received for my work. For each donation, I have asked the charity to allocate it to a specific area and venture. I thought you might like to know where the money has gone:
Donation 1: Glioblastoma Research for funding sequencing of brain tumour samples, laboratory equipment and reagents to grow glioblastoma cells and carry out experiments. LINK - here
In 2017 I was diagnosed with this type of brain tumour. The tumour was deemed to be terminal and malignant but thankfully I responded well to the treatment and in 2019 was told that I was in remission – a miracle. This explains why I do what I do and why it is important for me to give back through my work. My passion is to give other patients more hope through treatment and support, especially as ‘brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40’, according to the Brain Tumour Charity.
The Glioblastoma Research Group is based at the UCL Cancer Institute in London and is led by Dr Paul Mulholland, a consultant in medical oncology and honorary associate professor. Paul reviews my condition after an MRI scan every 3-4 months.
Ben Kinnersley, senior research fellow explains:
“The aim of the group is to improve outcomes for people diagnosed with glioblastoma, which is the most common and aggressive primary malignant brain tumour and is recognised by Cancer Research UK as a cancer ‘of substantial unmet need’. To achieve this, Paul’s group is carrying out an innovative research programme involving laboratory experiments on glioblastoma cell-lines, in-depth tumour profiling and clinical trials testing new treatment combinations. Your donation of £1,000 provides a very valuable contribution to research projects ongoing in the group, through funding sequencing of brain tumour samples as well as laboratory equipment and reagents to grow glioblastoma cells and carry out experiments.”
I recently had my quarterly brain scan a day before my birthday in December and received the good news from Paul that I still remain in remission – a lovely festive gift.
Donation 2: La Casa de la Madre y el Niño, Bogota, Colombia. LINK - here
This orphanage is very close to my heart as I was adopted from here in 1979. I have been back once to visit and receive regular updates from the founder, Bárbara Escobar de Vargas. The orphanage houses mothers and their children from a young age and is always looking for adoptive parents. Thankfully, when I was 5 weeks old, a couple from Europe (now MY parents) took me in, giving me a safe, happy and privileged upbringing. I have walked down some of the dangerous streets in Bogota and seen the type of life I could have led. Again, this shows why I do what I do and why I want to give back through my work. My aim is to give hope to the mothers and children in La Casa and the chance for the children to have a safe and secure life, full of love.
I asked La Casa to share with me where the donation has gone. Two workers at La Casa, Barbara and Susana (sisters), kindly shared these words:
“Thanks to your kindness, you will make 10 children extremely happy as they are going on holiday in the countryside having fun enjoying sports, swimming, hiking and being able to escape their restraint life in the city. It is extremely important for them to be able to feel a bit free. You are giving them memories forever and are helping them to heal in their spirit. These are some pictures of the children at camp living it being able to finally be outdoors, get some fresh air and be with other children. It touches our hearts but mainly as you bring smiles and joy to the lives of our children.”
La Casa is celebrating 80 years of their work supporting mothers and giving their children a home where they will be loved and adored. They have asked my family to send over our stories and photos which will be put into a celebration album – we are all looking forward to sharing our positive story.
It means so much to me to know from reading these stories that I am making a difference. As with much of my work, it cannot happen without your support. Just having a call or meeting keeps me on track and brings me professional confidence; as well as helping my mental health along the way! My workshop themes and programmes have grown this year and include ‘Self-Care’, ‘Addiction’, ‘Financial Wellbeing’, ‘Inclusive Wellbeing’, ‘Faith in Mental Health’, the role of line managers and a festive theme – ‘the Gift of Gratitude’ (with a professional photographer) - in the UK and other countries. You have supported me in many ways - cash, barter, contacts, feedback and smiles – all appreciated.
I will continue to donate to these 2 charities and am looking forward to running further programmes, from continuing to provide specific services to building wellbeing company cultures from scratch.
Please feel free to get in touch – I would be delighted to hear from you.
I wish you a calm and joyful end to your year. I hope that 2023 is a positive and confident year that matches your passion and purpose,
Merry Christmas!
Patrick
Glioblastoma Research Group, UCLH, London
La Casa de la Madre y el Nino, Bogota, Colombia