Tributes Pour in for Inspirational Allister

Tributes have been paid to inspiring student and YCFScot Founder Member Allister Boyd, who raised thousands for cancer charities, after he lost his battle with the disease.

Allister, 20, died on April 4th after battling cancer for more than three years.

Even though he knew he was dying, Allister, from Stair in Ayrshire, raised more than £180,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust and CLIC Sargent as well as playing a central role in the formation of Scotland's first Youth Cancer Forum, encouraging young people to share and talk about their experiences

All three charities have called him "courageous and inspiring."

Simon Davies, chief executive of Teenage Cancer Trust, for which Allister raised more than £70,000 towards a new unit for teens with cancer at Yorkhill Sick Kids Hospital, said: "Allister was an inspiration to everyone he met, his energy and enthusiasm were contagious.

"His positive attitude and drive to help Teenage Cancer Trust was wonderful and we are so privileged to have had his support.

"He was determined to make sure other young people with cancer would have the opportunity to be treated on a specialist unit - every penny he worked so hard to raise will go towards making this happen."

Allister had to give up his business studies course at Glasgow Caledonian University due to his illness, which was first diagnosed when he was 16. He was due to be presented with an award his university set up in his name.

The ‘Allister Boyd Award For Contribution To Health And Wellbeing In A Leadership Role’ was established to recognise his determination to help others. It will be presented to a different Caledonian student each year.

In November he also collected an Honorary Fellowship from the university alongside pop star Midge Ure.

Caledonian principal Pamela Gillies said Allister was a "remarkable and inspirational young man”.

His fundraising page is:
www.justgiving.com/teenagecancertrustallisterboyd
Image Credit: Evening Times

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YCFScot celebrates first anniversary

The first YCFScot anniversary celebrations took place Friday 28th November at the Menzies Hotel, Glasgow, where businesses were invited to attend lunch and get to know some of the young people behind YCFScot. The day's proceedings included a presentation, a sharing of experiences through talks given by young adults on the cancer journey, and a DVD showing of the launch. We were delighted to welcome Aileen Campbell MSP, who spoke at the event and accepted our invitation to become the Honorary Patron of YCFScot. We were also delighted to welcome David M Howie. The YCFScot team are now in the process of compiling a DVD about our organisation so that we can promote it to businesses.

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conTAK Opens First Drop-in Centre:

conTAK Scotland has opened its Drop-In Centre - the first of its kind - in the centre of Glasgow! For all young adults living with cancer, family and friends, the drop in centre offers support and friendship, regular get-togethers and the chance to meet a great bunch of folk who really do 'know how you feel’.
You'll find us at Suite 320, 4th Floor, Central Chambers, 11 Bothwell Street, GLASGOW G2 or you can give us a call first on 0141 227 6764, or email contakscotland@gmail.com

Make contact with conTAK

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The forum is launched:

The Youth Cancer Forum Scotland was officially launched by MSP Aileen Campbell in Perth on Friday 28th September. Set up by CLIC Sargent, conTAK and The Teenage Cancer Trust, the YCFS will give young people with cancer in Scotland the opportunity to have their say and make a difference. At the launch at Perth's Salutation Hotel, thirty young adults affected by cancer talked about the challenges they face and the changes they would like the Scottish Parliament to make on their behalf.

Chaired by Shaun McGarrigle, guests heard from speakers Gary McRandle, James Cadle, Andy Craig and Pamela Duffy about their experience of the cancer journey, and how young adults on similar journeys could benefit from change.

They were joined by Dr Fiona Cowie, who is involved in the development of a teenage and young adult unit based within the new Beatson site, and Aileen Campbell, the youngest MSP, who will help support the needs of the YCFS in the Scottish Parliament.

Aileen said, 'It is fantastic that the needs and views of these young people will be represented through the forum and I am looking forward to seeing what comes out of it in the future.'

Read CLIC Sargent's report on the launch

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MSPs congratulate YCFS

Members of YCFS were congratulated by Robin Harper MSP in the Scottish Parliament. The motion supported the forum’s aim to 'improve access to age-appropriate treatment, care, support and financial assistance' and called on the Scottish Government to 'support the needs of young people with cancer'.

Read the Scottish Parliament Bulletin.

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YCFScot in the press...

Following the launch of YCFScot, a number of newspapers gave it much deserved coverage. Read all about it...

The launch report in 'The Courier'
An article in 'The Perthshire Advertiser'
A snippet from 'The Scotsman'

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