‘Oscars’ ball boost for cancer charity

1:31pm Tuesday 20th May 2008

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A 24-YEAR-OLD Bury woman who has undergone a bone marrow transplant to help treat leukaemia has helped raise more than £9,000 for vital research into the illness.

Emma Dean organised a successful Oscar-themed charity ball in the town last October to raise money for Leukaemia Research. And the proceeds were boosted by an online auction to allow potential buyers to bid for two guitars donated by Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood and a cue given by snooker legend Jimmy White.

The guitars brought in £6,000 while the snooker cue went for £150. Together with the money raised at the ball at Bury Town Hall, the proceeds for Leukaemia Research came to £9,013.

This week's cheque presentation took place at Star Memorabilia in Crompton Street, Bury, to mark the fact that the business had supplied many items for the auction on the night of the ball. Emma, of Holme Avenue, Brandlesholme, was diagnosed with leukaemia five years ago and underwent a potentially lifesaving bone marrow transplant at Manchester Royal Infirmary in 2005.

She said: "I do have top-ups of bone marrow to treat the remaining bits of leukaemia. But the transplant has made such a big difference to me. It's too early to say that I've conquered leukaemia because it can take five years to be in remission."

In July, Emma will complete the first 12 months of a two-year foundation primary school teacher degree at Bury's Holy Cross College.

She will continue her charity support next April with a similar fundraising event, this time to benefit Bury Hospice and Cancer Research.