Update on Ismail

[LooseBoots]

For those that know about the little boy who had an accident in his dad`s factory and lost one arm and was found to have cancer in his good arm I asked Cyprus Today for an update.

I ran in the Istanbul marathon in 2011 to raise money for a bone marrow op, which I understand he has had.

I am now a bit puzzled as when I asked Cyprus Today for an update I was told that he is just back from Turkey after having chemo treatment.

Maybe those more knowledgeable than me can explain but I thought that you had chemo first then had the bone marrow op, not the other way around.

[Baspinarlady]

Is Lee Hickens on this forum? maybe he can give us an update - as far as I know he is in touch with the family.

[Marions]

Why did you ask Cyprus Today? It is Lee to whom you need to speak. And yes he does sometimes contribute here. I have not heard anything for ages, but Cyprus Today report what Lee gives them. They are not otherwise involved.

Yes it would be good to hear, but as long as the lad is O.K, let us hope that therefore silence is golden!!!!

[LooseBoots]

Well actually Anna the reporter is in contact with the family and my main question was why would you need Chemo after a bone marrow op.

[Marions]

Ah yes, I had forgotten. Anne Canalp often goes with Lee to act as interpreter. Valid question. I have drawn Lee's attention to this posting, so hopefully he will comment either on here or e mail you.

I think we need to hear it first hand because you know what this place is like with its 'lost in translation'; and 'Chinese whispers'. I have told lee that a lot of us would like to hear an update. So, hope he has time to respond.

[spider]

Hi LooseBoots Malcolm.

You did such a great job last marathon raising money for little Ismail I wanted to ask if you were going to run and raise money for little Ismail again this year ? As you know he still needs ongoing support for him new arm as he grows. Myself and his other supporters will no doubt be happy to sponsor you.

I spoke with Lee today and he said he contacted you by phone and email on Sunday could you please contact him. Also if you have sponsor forms to raise money for Ismail could you please give them to Lee for all to sign and make donations again, thanks.

Spider,X

[LooseBoots]

I`m afraid my running days are over and my marathon run for Ismail was a one off.

It was good to raise money for a particular special operation for the bone marrow.

I did read in Cyprus Today that he had supposedly had his Bone Marrow op, so I was rather surprised to find out from the paper that he was having Chemo. I thought that was done before a bone marrow op and not after.

Lee did inform me Ismail was recovering from the cancer.

[cyprusishome]

Loose boots I think there are far more rewarding things you could earn sponsorship for.

From day one I did not trust what was happening for this boy, yes it was all very emotive but not deserving of all the publicity and cash thrown that way. I have seen several public requests for the accounts regarding the fund raising but nobody has ever published the ins and outs for the appeal. I am not saying there is anything untoward but people deserve to know what their money was spent on.

This boy has had an awful accident and then to discover he had cancer was just rubbing salt into the wounds. However people have given him and his family a hope that is not existent. This is not like adopt a child in Africa where it is almost guaranteed that funds will continue through childhood to teenage etc. The young boy here will not get that as no benefactors are likely to continue paying for another x number of years for his treatment and prosthetics.

Now bring it on, I stand by what I have written and I know a large number have the same view but as this is not C44 will keep quiet!!

[Marions]

Valid points but could I point out that Lee Hickens has a pile of receipts to show exactly where every kouros has gone. and he will show those receipts to anyone. He has been meticulous in the way he has looked after that money that people have given to help Ismail. Without Lee's help to the b oy and his family they would have become another statistic of neglect. Without that money, Ismail could not have received the treatment he has. It was most unfortunate that this was a double tragedy as the cancer was another challenge.
There is still hope that the boy will live long enough to have a prosthesis if he can beat the cancer. The bone marrow was to give him some strength to face the next bout of chemo The trouble is that cancer grows very quickly in young people (and pregnant ladies) and can be an enormous challenge to the medical profession and a terrible strain on any family./ When that family is poor, it is an even bigger one.
There is always hope and one must never give up.
Many people have asked the kind of questions raised in this last posting, but Lee has always answered them honestly. It was hoped that Cheshire HOme would help with a prosthesis, but then it was cancer and outside the remit of the Home in terms of expenditure.
Having spent many hours talking with Lee over this and seeing the receipts and knowing the expenses of everything connected to Ismail's treatment, I am firmly convinced that Lee is one hundred per cent genuine in helping this boy. And maybe I can leave with just one question 'Who else would have helped'.




(By the way, I do understand that we all give our charity monies to those things which grab our hearts the most. The pight of Ismail grabbed the hearts of many, just as the plight of the animals at KAR grabs others, and yet even more are grabbed y the needs of the cancer charities here. So we make choices. Lee made his and gave the public a chance to share in caring .) Of course you won't all agree with me, but I think where there is love and caring mankind is moving in the right direction.

KibKom times will be carrying an update of Ismail's progress to date, hopefully next week.

[LooseBoots]

Yes, This is not 44 and as my question about " how Ismail is " has been answered I think this thread should now be closed.

[Marions]

I confirm that Loose boots is sensible in closing this. A request has been made to leave it open, but as it was his question and he feels the matter has been dealt with, it makes sense to close it. Loose Boots has his answers and has been in communication with Lee, and the thread has served its purpose.