Cancer survivor backs TK Maxx’s Give Up Clothes for Good campaign

Luke Holt was successfully treated for a Wilms’ tumour and is backing TK Maxx’s Give Up Clothes for Good campaign, in support of Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People.

The 11-year-old and his family are encouraging the public to donate any pre-loved quality fashion and homeware they no longer need to their nearest TK Maxx stores in Leigh’s Parsonage Retail Park and Wigan's Robin Retail Park.

When sold in Cancer Research UK shops, each bag of items donated could raise up to £25 to help fund research into children’s and young people’s cancers.

Luke is one of around 190 youngsters in the North West who are diagnosed with cancer every year*. His family understand all too well the importance of new discoveries and breakthroughs.

He was diagnosed with cancer aged just two. His grandmother had been changing his nappy when she felt a lump on the left-hand side of his body. Mum Deborah initially thought Luke was badly constipated.

Fortunately, a quick-thinking GP referred Luke to Warrington General Hospital for a scan. Deborah and Luke’s dad, Craig, felt anxious that Luke might have a hernia and had not considered the possibility their son could have cancer.

Deborah, Craig and Luke’s older brother Sam were shocked and devastated when doctors broke the news that they suspected the lump was in fact a tumour. He was immediately transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool where he was diagnosed with a Wilms’ tumour which is the most common form of kidney cancer in children.

Luke immediately started intensive chemotherapy. He also had surgery to have his left kidney and the cancerous tumour removed.

Fortunately, he made a good recovery. He had more chemotherapy following the surgery. Luke now only needs annual check-ups.

He left Leigh St John’s Primary School in the summer and has now just started at Lowton Church of England High School.

Luke has recently started at Lowton High

Mum Deborah, who works for the charity Guide Dogs UK and is aged 49, said: “It was a terrible shock being told Luke had cancer when he was so young. But the doctors reassured us immediately that they were confident of treating him successfully.

“The day of Luke’s surgery was the longest day of my life and one I will never forget.

“It’s thanks to research that Luke is here today. That’s why raising money for Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People is so vital.

“Luke and I will be having a good clear out at home to find clothes and things to donate and we hope our experience will inspire others to do the same. Their unwanted items really could save lives.”

More children are surviving cancer than ever before, thanks in large part to the work of Cancer Research UK.

Both Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital are two of the many centres across the UK taking part in ground-breaking clinical trials coordinated by Cancer Research UK’s Children's Cancer Trials Team. These trials make innovative new treatments available to children with cancer in the North West.

Jane Bullock, spokesperson for Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People in the North West, added: “We’re grateful to Luke and his family for helping to raise awareness. Cancer in children and young people is different to cancer in adults – from the types of cancer to the impact of treatment and the long-term side effects survivors often experience. So, it needs more research which campaigns like Give Up Clothes for Good help to fund.

“We want to help ensure more people under the age of 25 in the North West, and across the UK, survive cancer with a good quality of life. That’s why we hope as many people as possible will show their support and donate any quality clothes or goods to their local TK Maxx store.”

TK Maxx is the biggest corporate supporter of Cancer Research UK’s research into children’s and young people’s cancers. Since 2004, the retailer has raised over £37 million to help improve survival and reduce long-term side effects for under 25s.

Speaking on behalf of TK Maxx, Jo Murphy, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability at TJX Europe, said: “We are incredibly grateful to our customers across the North West for helping us to transform the items they no longer need into funds for life-saving research. Not only are they helping more children and young people survive cancer, they’re also reducing their environmental impact by giving their pre-loved items another lease of life.”

Give Up Clothes for Good is one of the UK’s longest running clothes collections. People can donate at any TK Maxx store, all year round.

Supporters can also help by wearing a gold ribbon badge – the awareness symbol of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – available from Cancer Research UK shops and selected TK Maxx stores during September.

Find out more or donate online at cruk.org/childrenandyoungpeople