“I couldn’t believe it” - Cancer survivor’s shock as fundraising efforts reach whopping £25,000

A man who was given six months to live has recovered from stage 4 throat cancer and is living in remission - but that’s not the only mountain he’s moved.

Warwick Smith used his second chance at life to raise enormous funds for the NHS - to buy equipment that other cancer patients so desperately need. 

The 67-year-old, from Littleborough, announced this week that his fundraising efforts have reached an outstanding £25,000 - to buy a scanner that could significantly speed up diagnosis for others, and, quite likely save lives. 

 

Read more: Remarkable cancer survivor raises £21,000 to fund “desperately needed” NHS equipmentPublished: 05 September 2024

 

Warwick's tireless campiagn over the last few months have drawn support from many, including his surgeon, Mr. Alex Bowen, consultant ENT head and neck surgeon, who has suggested that the funds could also be used to purchase portable handheld ultrasound scanners for dynamic USS-guided biopsies in clinics.

After numerous fundraising events in the area and ongoing circulation of the fundraising page, he finally hit the huge target on Tuesday (3 December).

Warwick said: “I couldn’t believe it, when I set out to raise funds there’s no way I imagined it getting to £25,000, I’m blown away by everyone’s generosity and support. 

 

 

“I’ve recently celebrated two years since waking up from surgery, my ‘laryversary’... so it makes the occasion even more special for it to be around this time. 

“Going into what turned out to be a 10 hour operation, I had doubts that I would be around two years later, so I’m very grateful to still be here, and making good use of the time in my new post-op life. 

“Thanks to my wife, family. friends & old colleagues for their support, also ‘Shoney’ & the current & previous landlords of the Dyers Arms, and of course Jenny Cooper, Christian Goodier & cousins Liz & Catherine for their own efforts in contributing plus special thanks to Tony King for his time & musical talents. and finally a very old friend who wishes to remain anonymous.

“This fund will help countless people & WILL save not only time & resources for the NHS, but also lives of those in the area”

Warwick is a member of the Oldham Quiet Ones which is a supporting Laryngectomy patients and their families in the area. Find more about them here. 

The page will stay live and accepting donations until 1 January 2025. To donate, or to read more about Warwick, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/oldham-royal-hospital-head-neck-scanner