Rye man to Brave the Shave for Macmillan

A man is having all of his hair and beard shaved off in aid of a cancer charity.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Jul 2016, 13:46 BST
Updated 7th Jul 2016, 14:47 BST

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Bill DaveyBill Davey
Bill Davey

Bill Davey, 52, of King’s Avenue, Rye, was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the beginning of last year and nearly died.

He will be taking part in Macmillan Cancer Support’s Brave the Shave campaign at Rye Barbers in Cinque Ports Street tomorrow (Saturday) from 11am.

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Bill said: “I was diagnosed with a large tumour in my transverse colon tube in January 2015.

“The tumour was removed but the reconstruction of my bowel failed, giving me sepsis.

“As a result, I ended up in intensive care on life support for more than two weeks.”

A colostomy then had to be done, which is a surgical operation where the colon is shortened to remove a damaged part and the cut end diverted to an opening in the abdominal wall.

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Bill added he suffered further complications and sepsis, leaving him in hospital for a further five months, following another operation.

He was fitted with a vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) pump to heal the wounds.

Bill was cared for by community nurses every other day.

Next month, Bill, who works for railway engineering company Atkins, has to undergo a major operation at St Mark’s Hospital in Harrow, north London.

He will be having a skin graft to his abdomen, as well as reconstructive surgery to it. Afterwards, he will need chemotherapy.

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Bill said: “I have a brilliant nurse called Maxine Clist. Macmillan has been really great in supporting my family and I over the last year or so. My colleagues at work have also been brilliant, as well as the Sara Lee Trust, which has been offering me counselling.”

Anyone wishing to donate to Bill’s cause can log onto bravetheshave.org.uk/shavers/bill-davey.

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Related topics:RyeMacmillan Cancer Support