Beth Doherty
A local councillor is raising funds for the Stars Appeal and awareness of leukaemia symptoms after a recent diagnosis.
Charles McGrath, 26, is the Conservative councillor for Salisbury Milford and leader of Salisbury City Council Conservatives. On the 16th of September, after a period of ill health, Charles was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.
“The symptoms I had in no way pointed to a leukaemia diagnosis – or so I thought,” explained Charles.
“It started with a cough, I felt constantly tired, I couldn’t go 5 minutes of walking without feeling breathless and come early September had a bad mouth infection.
“Since June, I’d experienced some very light gum bleeding (which I put down to gingivitis) and the occasional unexplained bruise.”
Despite this, Charles ploughed on with his full-time job in marketing and as a local councillor.
“It was only when the mouth infection started in early September and my symptoms of breathlessness and fatigue worsened that I began to wonder if something more was up.”
After pushing for further testing, Charles had a blood test on 16th September and the cause of the symptoms was found: acute myeloid leukaemia.
Since then, Charles has been put on an intensive course of chemotherapy which will likely last six months or possibly longer. Most of that time will be spent as an inpatient at Salisbury District Hospital.
“The diagnosis has been a massive shock to me but I am determined to overcome this temporary setback in my life.”
Now, Charles is shaving his head for Salisbury District Hospital’s charity – The Stars Appeal.
“When I decided to shave my rapidly thinning hair, I thought, why not raise some money for the Stars Appeal in the process?
“From free wifi around the hospital to the latest diagnostic and treatment tools, every penny that goes to the Stars Appeal is making a difference to me and all the other patients at Salisbury District Hospital.”
Charles’ fundraiser has already raised over £500 for the Stars Appeal, but he hopes to continue to smash his target.
Charles added, “My message to people would be: don’t underplay the symptoms. It’s so important that people read up on these symptoms and never assume it’s not you – leukaemia can affect anyone of any age, from childhood to later life.
“Also, if you don’t feel like your symptoms are being noticed by your GP, or you’re struggling to get an in-person appointment with them, always be persistent. According to the haematologists looking after me now, it saved my life.”
To support Charles in ‘Shaving his head for the Stars’, head to his Just Giving Page here.
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Andy Munns
