CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA Registered Charity No
Annual Report & Accounts 2008 CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA Registered Charity No. 298405. Inaugurated in 1988 by Diana, Princess of Wales in memory of Jean and Paul O’Gorman Introduction Paul and Jean, Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead Diana, Princess of Wales inaugurates the Charity, New Year’s Day 1987 12th January 1988 How we began The charity began in memory Paul succumbed to the disease Spurred by the loss of their of Paul O’Gorman, who was 14 in February 1987, nine weeks beloved children, Marion and when he was diagnosed with after his initial diagnosis. Eddie, along with family and leukaemia, in December 1986. friends, undertook the mission Just before he died, Paul asked His parents, Marion and Eddie, to fulfil Paul’s wish and continue his parents to help other were initially encouraged by the Jean’s work - to give children children with leukaemia in the consultant’s opinion that his with leukaemia a better chance hope that some day a cure chances of survival were good, as of survival. a suitable donor had been found would be found. for a bone marrow transplant. A week after Jean’s death, Paul’s sister, Jean, immediately Marion and Eddie met Diana, However, while waiting for the began a fundraising campaign Princess of Wales. Moved by operation, Paul contracted a virus to honour Paul’s wish but their double tragedy, she helped and his condition deteriorated. tragedy struck the O’Gorman start the charity, which she In hospital, Paul observed the family again. inaugurated in January 1988. devastating treatments other In November 1987, nine months children with leukaemia had to Princess Diana’s commitment endure and how they managed after Paul’s death and only days remained undiminished.
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