The glittering bauble from the Beatson Cancer Charity is a reminder of how the organisation helped her through one of the darkest periods in her life.
Four years ago the Glasgow mum-of-three was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a rare form of bone marrow cancer.
There were no guarantees that even a bone marrow transplant would help the former nurse recover. She was terrified.
“In 1994 a blood test showed I had an anomaly in my bone marrow,” Jan explained. “I was given medication to treat it and carried on with my life, but after 17 years the problem worsened.
“It developed into myelofibrosis, too severe for the medication.
“The doctors told me my health would deteriorate and I was facing chronic illness. I would stop producing cells and basically there would be no way back from that.”
Over the next year Jan had four meetings with the consultants at the Beatson as she researched bone marrow transplant.
“During that time they were searching for a suitable donor. But when they found one I didn’t feel a sense of relief because I was considering not going through with it.
“I had chemotherapy in preparation, but then I had a flaky moment and that’s when the Beatson staff really came to my attention.
“I was scared. Scared of the side effects and the fact there was no guarantee it would work and scared I would go through all of it and still not be able to live a productive life.”
Jan took some time out of the ward and went to the Wellbeing Centre, where there were plenty of friendly faces to provide comfort and advice. She decided to go ahead with the transplant and the Beatson staff helped her through the gruelling treatment.
“The support from Beatson was a real lifeline and helped me cope during such a traumatic time.
“The level of care and understanding was brilliant. It was a real support network.”
The grandmother-of-three’s treatment was a huge success and she is now back living a full life.
But she hasn’t forgotten what the Beatson did for her and that’s why she now volunteers twice a week at the centre.
“I know what the patients and families are going through,” she continued. “The Beatson is a charity that offers people the chance to say thanks through something like the bauble appeal.
“It’s very rewarding to feel part of it. It’s not just a case of donating money – you’re investing into this organisation that never forgets you.”
The Beatson Bauble Appeal runs until December 31 and for every donation made, a Beatson bauble will be sent to you to hang on the Christmas tree to remember someone special, to say thank you or to support people with cancer.
For more information, please call 0141 212 0505 or visit beatsoncancercharity.org
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