Teenager cancer victim makes charity cards from his sick bed (From Warrington Guardian)

Teenager cancer victim makes charity cards from his sick bed

A SELFLESS young cancer sufferer has shown his determination to not let his condition beat him by making greeting cards to sell for charity despite undergoing intensive chemotherapy.

Thomas Hauser, aged 19, from Lindsay Way, Alsager, found out in June he has several cancerous tumours of a type similar to that of world-famous cyclist Lance Armstrong.

However Thomas' extremely positive attitude is keeping the family going, and he is focusing his efforts on raising money for cancer charities.

He said: "It feels nice knowing what I'm doing will go towards helping others - I was shocked to read that six teenagers are diagnosed with cancer each day and felt I had to do something."

Thomas endures week-long chemotherapy sessions in the Young Person's Unit at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, during which he makes cards to sell in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The cards have raised £50 so far as Thomas concentrates on selling them from his hospital bed. They will be on sale in the near future at Alsager Co-op.

His girlfriend, art student Leanne Ebank stays with Thomas throughout his hospital sessions, and helps make the intricate cards using embroidery and household scraps like bags and wrappers, which they turn into beautiful designs.

Thomas added: "The trust sponsors the special teenage unit and want to make other wards like it, which I think is great.

"I have made friends there who are on the same treatment cycles and we help each other cope."

Thomas, his 15-year-old brother Philip and friend Silvie Hall, also spent four hours fundraising with a collection box in Alsager last month, bringing in £150.

kcooksey@guardiangrp.co.uk