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Heartbreak gift as family club together to save Brian's eyesight



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Published Date: 25 February 2008
A FAMILY are clubbing together in a desperate bid to stop a grandad going blind.
Health chiefs have denied Brian Turner, 74, the drug Avastin.
The drug is needed to stabilise wet age-related macular degeneration, which he suffers in his left eye.
But his family are refusing to allow Brian, of Oaks Green Mount, Rastrick, to lose his sight.
Children Julie Atkin-son, 47, Stuart Turner, 50, grandchildren Charlie Turner, 16, Danielle Turner, 17, and 14-year-old Miles Turner, Debbie Atkinson, 24, and Lisa Youell, 30, are dipping into their savings to pay for the £6,300 treatment.
Danielle is giving £100, plus money she earns at Waterstones in Hudders-field. She said: "I usually spend my wages on clothes. But I'm happy to give all that up for Grandad."
Brother Miles is sacrificing £165 he saved for a flat-screen TV.
Daughter Julie Atkin-son, of Hove Edge, Brighouse, said: "We will make sure he gets Avastin."
Brian said: "This situation has made me realise how important my eyesight is. My vis-ion is blurred so I worry I won't be able to see my grandchildren grow up. It's touching everyone wants to help."
Brian, a former Yorkshire Electricity inspector, has been married to Pauline for 52 years.
She said they could afford three of the £700 injections. But Brian may need nine.
She said: "I was so taken aback when everyone offered to help. It made me cry.
"But families should not have to do this. We have worked all our lives and paid our taxes. But when something like this happens we are not allowed treatment that should be readily available."
Debbie, who is contributing £500, said: "Saving the money will put a strain on us, but that doesn't bother us."
A Calderdale Primary Care Trust spokeswo-man said it could not comment on the case but recommended Mr Turner contact its patient advice liaison service.

Courier Comment

The full article contains 333 words and appears in Evening Courier newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 25 February 2008 11:02 AM
  • Source: Evening Courier
  • Location: Halifax
 
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ukfirefighter,

25/02/2008 15:08:55
Amazing, we pay for drug addicts to receive methadone in order to try and "help" them. Yet we are not able to assist this gentleman. Will it not cost the state more money if we allow his eyesight to degenerate?
2

happyfax,

hx 25/02/2008 15:45:40
totally agree ukfirefighter i suspect brian has paid his fair share of NI contributions but as per usual in this mad country if you work for this country don,t expect anything in return as as the british have to fund everybody else,s care but not our own
3

Webreader,

25/02/2008 19:55:53
I just cant understand the logic! The NHS wont pay for treatment, but if this man goes blind, somehow the care and benefits he would be entitled to, would be found without question.
4

edwin turner,

sowerby bridge 25/02/2008 20:46:26
DISGRACEFULL the nhs moves in mysterious ways
how is it they cant or wont provide treatment of this or any like-kind but treat druggies, ect without
question
5

jen76,

elland 25/02/2008 21:29:01
this is terrible the poor family having to struggle to pay for treatment,
this just show the N.H.S are useless. they pay for people to have cosmetic surgery when it isnt needed, they give all immigrants free treatment and yet they are doing a big campaign to help stop people smoking... come on N.H.S this man is going blind he needs your help so do something right for once give this man who has worked and paid his taxes all his life the treatment he needs..
Brian i hope you get the treatment on the health service as like exile said if you start paying you will suffer fight it all the way we are all her for you
good luck xxx
6

we want our country back,

halifax 25/02/2008 21:37:08
the money is going to pen pushers and their pensions.get rid of the parasites
7

jen76,

elland 25/02/2008 21:56:43
we want our country back... totally agree with you.

why is it that this is our country but yet we are the ones to suffer and we are the ones having to fight for our benefits and treatments when the immigrants and such others get it given to them on a silver plate. DISGUSTING send them all home and lock the door...
we cant go to there country and get benefits,free treatments and build churches everywhere.. so they shouldnt get it here..
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we want our country back,

25/02/2008 22:02:09
cheers jen keep speaking up
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halifaxman100,

25/02/2008 22:59:38
If i recall this corectly, wanst our former MP Alice Mahon was allowed to have this treatment on the NHS eventually?
I thought our current MP had lobbied parliament about this very matter.
10

Lisa Youell,

26/02/2008 09:29:34
Please could you all take a couple of minutes to sign Brian Turners petition - To end the NHS postcode lottery of sight-saving drug Avastin.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Avastin/
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