Tri-Service
Dying RAF Airman On Charity Mission
A dying British airman has raised thousands of pounds for the hospice where he's receiving care, despite being given days to live.
27-year-old Shahbaz Saleem, who has been in the RAF for nine-and-a-half years, was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in November 2015, shortly after returning home from a four-month tour of Dubai.
The father-of-two, from Burnley, went to A&E after suffering from abdominal pain, having taken part in a charity climb of Mount Snowdon in Wales.
After undergoing emergency surgery to remove a colonic tumour, he was told his cancer had spread to the lungs, and after unsuccessful chemotherapy, was informed it was incurable.
Now, the airman has raised over £5,000 for Pendleside Hospice, in just six days. He's set a target of £7,000.
Writing on his JustGiving page on Thursday, Shahbaz said:
"I just wanted to say how proud and happy I am that people from all parts of the UK and further afield have come together and have supported Pendleside Hospice. It's heartwarming to see how we've all united in sharing the same goal, to give something back to humanity."
"Please accept my deepest and heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you." He added:
"I want to give something back to Pendleside... The therapy session which I had with complementary therapist Kate was out of this world. It made me feel so relaxed that I slept for 24 hours afterwards."
"I would urge anyone who has any of the following symptoms to go to the doctors and get checked out - unexplained weight loss, sickness and/or diarrhea, loss of appetite or feeling bloated and full are some of the signs of Colon Cancer. I was a young, fit man who had climbed Mt Snowdon just a few days before my diagnosis so I just put my symptoms down to Irritable Bowel Syndrome."
Shahbaz’s Flight Sergeant Paul "Ziggy" Marley and his colleagues have been raising money whilst in the Falklands over the last couple of months, meanwhile. He said:
"All the lads miss Shabz and it is definitely quieter without him! It is lovely that they wanted to support the hospice who are doing a great job in caring for him."
Sammi Graham, a fundraiser at Pendleside Hospice Fundraiser, who has been liaising with the airman's family, said:
"We're glad that Shabz and his family have benefitted from some of the services offered at Pendleside and that we have been able to make this difficult time a little easier for them. The money raised by Shabz's family, friends and colleagues will help us to be there for more local families during their difficult times."
"Pendleside Hospice provides care and support following the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness. Care is individual to each patient; geared specifically to their needs and can be within our Day Service, Outpatient and Inpatient departments or delivered in the patient's own home.
"Our Family Support Team also offer help, support and counselling to all family members, including children."
Click here if you'd like to donate to Shahbaz's fundraising page and help him reach his target.
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