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Feature Item:
If I help one person, it’ll be worthwhile
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
A cancer survivor who tells his story in order to raise awareness has been nominated for an Our Heroes Award.
Dafydd Jones, 28, from Gipsy Hill, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in October 2009 and got the all-clear in January last year.
Since then, he has dedicated his time to speaking in public about his experiences, to help raise awareness of the symptoms.
He has raised £6,000 in the past two years auctioning items donated by celebrities on eBay.
These have included signed pictures of comedian Jimmy Carr and Olympic ice-skating champions Torvill and Dean.
The latest charity auction, starting today, includes five signed scripts from Australian TV soap Home And Away.
He has also drummed up thousands of pounds for the charity, Beating Bowel Cancer, by completing sponsored skydives and bungee jumps. Dafydd works as an ambassador for the charity and he supports other bowel cancer survivors.
He said: “When I speak about what I went through, there is not a day that goes by when I don’t get a lump in my throat.
“It brings back a lot of memories of how much pain you can go through and how uncomfortable such a little thing can become. But I feel like I’m doing a good thing.
“If I can help one person and they can pass the message to someone else, potentially saving one person, then it’s worthwhile.”
Bowel cancer is the country’s second-biggest cancer killer, after lung cancer and followed by breast cancer.
Dafydd said his symptoms started with stomach cramps and doctors first diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome.
He said: “I never ever thought it could be cancer. But I persisted with seeing the doctors and, on the sixth visit, they referred me to a specialist.
“You have to persist if you think something is wrong.”
He has now been nominated for an Our Heroes Award as part of this paper’s campaign to highlight the achievements of South Londoners.
Our Heroes Awards nominees’ stories will be given to a panel of judges in September so that winners can be chosen.
The campaign ends with a gala ceremony at the South Bank headquarters of sponsors Shell on November 15.
Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd Saturday, 25 May 2013
Other Our Heroes Awards 2011:
Ex-Heroes reveal Junction wish list - Tuesday, 01/Nov/2011
Proving kids can be good citizens - Tuesday, 11/Oct/2011
We keep on caring when state stops - Friday, 30/Sep/2011
Friends to ‘needy’ - Wednesday, 28/Sep/2011
Actor’s dedication to common touch - Friday, 23/Sep/2011
Shakespeare actor has common touch - Wednesday, 21/Sep/2011
‘I know my son will become blind’ - Friday, 16/Sep/2011
Son’s illness inspires mum - Wednesday, 14/Sep/2011
A taste of success for prison officer - Tuesday, 13/Sep/2011
Nine-year-old raises £200k for park - Friday, 09/Sep/2011
Denise helps teens patch up their lives - Tuesday, 06/Sep/2011
From pop charts to criminology... - Friday, 02/Sep/2011
‘Extra mile? Dave goes the extra continent - Wednesday, 31/Aug/2011
Headbutt couldn’t stop me in riot role - Friday, 26/Aug/2011
I tried to make a difference... - Tuesday, 23/Aug/2011
‘Creative kids less likely to turn against society’ - Friday, 19/Aug/2011
‘Whirlwind’ rugby fan trains Tigers - Tuesday, 16/Aug/2011
Grandad’s quest to help kids walk for first time - Wednesday, 10/Aug/2011
‘I want people to have hope’ - Friday, 05/Aug/2011
‘I just can’t stop my fundraising’ - Tuesday, 02/Aug/2011
A real kick from football training - Friday, 29/Jul/2011
Lifesaver: It was nothing special - Tuesday, 26/Jul/2011
Keey site to keep kids out of trouble - Friday, 22/Jul/2011
Rapping teacher is role model for kids - Tuesday, 19/Jul/2011
Advice on gardening from the grown-ups - Friday, 15/Jul/2011
If I help one person, it’ll be worthwhile - Tuesday, 12/Jul/2011
‘Life can change with just a word’ - Friday, 08/Jul/2011
Getting to art of the matter - Wednesday, 06/Jul/2011
Art of the matter - Tuesday, 05/Jul/2011
‘John has given voice to people at the bottom’ - Wednesday, 29/Jun/2011
Martial arts man fighting for peace - Tuesday, 28/Jun/2011
Mr Grass Roots in the running for Our Heroes award - Friday, 24/Jun/2011
‘I love looking after children’ - Tuesday, 21/Jun/2011
‘Always trying to make us laugh...’ - Friday, 17/Jun/2011
Dynamic duo’s battling spirit - Thursday, 16/Jun/2011
‘I lifted him like sumo wrestler’ - Friday, 03/Jun/2011
Prime Minister helps launch the hunt for South London's unsung heroes - Friday, 27/May/2011
Sir Ray Tindle
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