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A dad to be who developed the same cancer as his brother has raised £4,302 for the unit where they were both treated.
Olly Solly was 21 when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma – the same cancer his brother Benjamin had beaten 11 years previously.
Both brothers had chemotherapy treatment at the Viking Day Unit at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, and Olly held a charity football match in aid of East Kent Hospitals Charity, to benefit the unit.
His friend Sam Murray, 28, also organised the event at Margate Football Club, after his mum also had treatment at the unit.
Olly, now 28, from Margate, said: “My consultant told me that if I’d put a pound on Benjamin and I developing the same cancer I would never have to work another day in my life.
“We are both absolutely fine now and the team at the Viking Day Unit were amazing. They were so kind and compassionate and made us all feel as comfortable and supported as possible.
“We wanted to give something back to say thank you for everything they did for us both, and for Sam’s mum, and all the other patients who need treatment there.”
Benjamin was 16 when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma – on Olly’s 14th birthday. Seven years later Olly, who works as a self-employed floor layer, began to develop similar symptoms, including weight loss and night sweats.
He said: “We were both young and fit and I think it was pure bad luck that we both had the same cancer.
“It wasn’t until I found a lump when I was in the shower that I thought I’d better get it checked out, because of what Benjamin had been through.
“They found abnormal cells in my spleen and groin, so it was classed as stage 2A, while Benjamin’s was stage one.
“Chemo started two weeks after the diagnosis was confirmed and I thought it would be hell but it wasn’t as bad as I expected.
“The first session hit me quite hard and it definitely wasn’t easy but it wasn’t as tough as I thought, and I will be forever grateful for the treatment I received.”
