TV Advertisement
The Foundation is proud to release its first Community Service Announcement (CSA). It allows Hannah’s Chance Foundation to create awareness of sarcoma and connect with a wider audience. The 30 second television piece features the Foundation’s Ambassador Tracey Wickham, Hannah’s husband Tom O’Driscoll, Radiation Oncologist Dr David Schlect and sarcoma survivors Cass Rose and Rachel Wilson.
The CSA shows the many people affected by sarcoma. Also involved in sarcoma patients’ journeys are their family, friends, doctors, nurses and so on. The butterfly animation used throughout demonstrates this ‘butterfly effect’ and ties in with Hannah’s favourite butterfly quote (featured on our homepage).
Keep a look out for it on TV!
Check out our CSA below at the bottom of the page! We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Want to know more about our CSA stars? Read their stories below to find out about their experiences with sarcoma
Cass's Story
In 1990 when I was five years old I suffered from a Synovial Sarcoma in my left forearm. That year I had three surgeries to remove the cancer and also return the function to my left hand. Whilst I only had a six week course of radiotherapy, the surgery itself was pretty invasive and all the muscle and tissue in my lower arm was removed. The tendons in my hand were then reattached to my bicep muscle to give me the use of my left hand back. I can now do most things with my left hand but have very obvious muscle/tissue loss and scarring on my left arm.
When I was diagnosed, my parents were told that the survival rate was only 20%. So I was one of the lucky ones. I understand that the survival rate is now 50% and I hope that with the support of charities like Hannah’s Chance Foundation the survival rate can continue to increase. I also hope that with the research that will be funded from donations, there will continue to be an improvement in the type of treatment options available to sarcoma sufferers. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the diagnosis of my cancer and I am living a happy and healthy life. I would hope that with the work that the Hannah’s Chance Foundation can do, there will be more people celebrating 20 years plus cancer free.
Rachel's Story
I was 15 when I was diagnosed with an osteosarcoma in my right femur. The tumour was advanced, aggressive and had spread to my lungs. Two days following the biopsy to confirm the type of sarcoma I broke the affected leg and spent over three months in traction, all the while receiving extensive chemotherapy. All except 14cm of my femur was removed and replaced with a titanium prosthesis which later became loose and had to be replaced with a larger one. In the few months following I developed a significant infection which took a further 18 months of treatment to eliminate. Once cleared of the infection, one final long operation was undergone to use my fibulas in place of a prosthesis.
Having sarcoma meant that my teen years were cut significantly short. You have to learn things most adults struggle to understand and you are forced to deal with decisions and pain you wouldn’t wish on anybody. But it’s also because of the sarcoma that you learn more about yourself, you realise the unwavering support you have from your family and friends, and you meet so many amazing people, doctors and nurses that become your family, and fellow patients that become lifelong friends.
I am now 22 and in remission and moving on with my life. The future is exciting, I am studying nursing and looking forward to the new experiences that my life will hold.
Sarcoma is an under acknowledged cancers, I believe that the more awareness and funds need to be raised through fantastic foundations like Hannah's Chance so the future looks more positive and sufferers can get their lives back.
