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Majorca ahoy for brave Raphael
b12-248 Duane Harvard donated one of his kidneys to his son Raphael 10yrs after he went into renal failure last year.
A YOUNGSTER, who underwent a life-saving kidney transplant last year, is being flown out to Majorca to ‘walk the plank’ to attend a special charity Pirates Adventure Show.
Raphael Havard, 10, of Buttercup Close, Bedford, was diagnosed with complete kidney failure last March, but his dad Duane bravely stepped forward to donate his kidney in order to save his life.
Things are now looking up for brave Raphael, who is now set to fly out to Majorca to attend the show, on Saturday, April 28, courtesy of Thomson Holidays.
The show will raise vital funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Children’s Charity.
Raphael and his family, together with four other GOSH families, will be flown to the island for a week’s holiday especially for the event.
Raphael’s mum, Anna said, “We are honoured and privileged to be asked to attend this spectacular Pirates Adventure Show. We’ve experienced a difficult year and it will be nice to meet other families and thank the organisers and sponsors for putting on this amazing event.
“Raphael is particularly looking forward to this. He is very grateful for everything the doctors, nurses and staff at GOSH have done for him. Without them he wouldn’t be able to attend this fantastic show.“
As well as enjoying the spectacular show of action, dance, acrobatics and comedy, the families will also mingle with celebrities at the event, including EastEnders’ stars Steve McFadden, Cheryl Fergison and Adam Woodyatt.
At the age of nine, Raphael was diagnosed with complete kidney failure, caused by rarely-seen illness Goodpasture’s Syndrome.
Raphael initially spent six weeks at GOSH where he had three operations, 20 plasma exchanges and two blood transfusions.
Even when at home, he had to undergo around 11 hours of dialysis a night, and his bedroom was converted into a clinic complete with all the equipment and hospital-level hygiene.
The money raised from the Pirates Adventure Show Premiere will go towards GOSH Charity’s Theatres for Theatres Appeal, which will fund a new state-of-the-art operating theatre for children who require pioneering surgery.
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Thursday 20 June 2013
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