Cancer Patient Helps Raise Over £1,000 for Support Charities

A patient with stage four colon cancer has contributed to raising more than £1,000 for two charities that have assisted her, through a dedicated netball tournament. Sammy Kean, 31, received her diagnosis on Christmas Eve in 2022 after being admitted to the hospital urgently with a perforated bowel. Ms. Kean is a passionate netball player, and the Jersey Netball Association (JNA) organized a fundraising tournament in her honor at Les Ormes on Tuesday evening. Approximately 50 individuals attended the event, and the funds collected will be allocated to Jersey Cancer Relief and Friends of Oncology Jersey (FOJO). Ms. Kean also participated in the tournament and expressed being deeply affected by the support demonstrated by the JNA. She conveyed that she was “just overwhelmed” and noted that the involved charities “helped me so much over the last few years, financially and emotionally “. “Sometimes I don’t hold together as well but it’s not all down to me and it’s down to the netball community, my family, and my children as well – they keep me going,” Ms. Kean added. Her two young children were present at the tournament, cheering her on. Sarah Attwood learned of Ms. Kean’s story on BBC Radio Jersey after relocating to the island a couple of months ago, and these marked her first netball matches since her move. She stated, “I have a friend going through her cancer journey herself at the moment in the UK” and, after hearing Ms. Kean’s story on the radio, believed “it was a sign” to attend and offer support. Ms. Attwood further remarked: “I felt quite nervous coming along, like first day of school, but, actually everyone here has been really welcoming.” The JNA also sold teas and cakes, in addition to collecting further donations for the cancer charities on the night. Linda Andrews, the President of the JNA, assisted in overseeing the tournament. She commented that “the Association classes ourselves as a family” and asserted, “we look after all our members whatever they’re going through.” “She [Ms Kean] is just showing everybody that you don’t have to stop for an illness just battle on through and have fun,” Ms. Andrews added. Ms. Kean also intends to organize future fundraising events for other cancer charities in Jersey that have provided her with support. For updates, follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Story ideas can be submitted to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.