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HAVING A BALL Cancer survivor Billy McCarthy and his wife Natasha raise a glass to toast the Light For Christie's ball at Mere Golf & Country Club
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Celebrities say 'Bottoms Up' to bowel cancer
Carmel Thomason7/10/2008
NOT so long ago, Billy McCarthy couldn't have imagined attending a glamorous fundraiser, let alone helping organise one. At 36 the dad-of-three was diagnosed with advanced stage four bowel cancer, giving him only a 30 per cent chance of survival.
Three years later his scans have shown clear for 12 months. And on Saturday, Billy showed his gratitude by helping to raise £100,000 for specialists at The Christie who treated him.
"We were devastated when I was told I had bowel cancer," said Billy. "We'd recently moved to Spain with a four week old baby, Ava, a two-year-old son, Roman and three-year-old daughter, Scarlett. Suddenly we were thrown into a completely unknown arena and didn't know where to go for help."
Brilliant team
"Then I got the call with an appointment time at The Christie. The medical team were brilliant and the way they took care of both me and my wife, Natasha, was exactly what we needed in those dark days."
Natasha adds: "It's not just a cliché - you can get through it even when you are diagnosed with the worst kind of cancer like Billy was.
"The internet is a fantastic tool but sometimes too much information isn't helpful. The statistics aren't great when the cancer has spread to the liver and lymph nodes, as it had in Billy's case. But it's important not to get bogged down in statistics.
"Throughout his treatment Billy was humorous. We were busy with three young children so he had to try and keep as normal as he could and I do think it helped to keep upbeat and positive."
The glittering bash at the weekend, cheekily named, Bottoms Up 2 Bowel Cancer, was the sixth annual Light for Christie's charity ball, founded by the late, Tom Kilroe.
Billy and wife, Natasha arranged the celebration at Mere Golf & Country Club, and guests were more than happy to show their appreciation, digging deep to raise funds for bowel cancer specialists at The Christie.
Much of the money came from an auction and a raffle, which included signed books and CDs from Salford tenor, Russell Watson who sang at Billy and Natasha's wedding.
The big money-spinner of the night however, was Manchester City boardroom seats donated by executive chairman, Gary Cook, including a meet and greet with manager Mark Hughes and the players.
The tickets encouraged fierce bidding with Natasha's brother, businessman, Ged Mason and the owner of the hotel, Marc Boler both raising the stakes to £11,000. And when Gary saw the enthusiasm for his prize he decided to offer both men tickets and match the donation by the club, raising a massive £33,000 from one prize alone.
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