Two years ago, Jenny Ramage, editor of our own online magazine for charities 'The Fundraiser', was treated for a rare, one-in-a-million cancer called PMP. Now she’s recovered, she decided to make a music video to help others like her.
Just over two years ago, I took three months off from my job as editor of The Fundraiser. But it was no sabbatical: I had been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer called Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP appendix cancer), which affects just one in a million people.
I was told the cancer, which started with a tumour in my appendix, had spread all throughout my abdomen. My internal organs were coated with a cancerous, jelly-like substance called mucin. If left untreated, these tumours would have grown bigger and bigger, eventually suffocating my vital organs and causing death.
The Mother of all Surgeries
There was only one way to save my life: I had to undergo a huge surgical procedure to remove all of the tumours. And when I say huge, I mean HUGE. The surgeons made a 14-inch incision up my tummy, and removed all of the internal organs that had been too badly affected by the cancer to be saved. These included my right bowel, spleen, appendix, gall bladder, ovaries and fallopian tubes, the protective lining of the abdomen, parts of my liver and diaphragm, and my bellybutton. It’s not hard to see why patients refer to the procedure as the 'Mother of All Surgeries'!
Helping others to survive
Two years on, I’ve made an incredible recovery and am living life to the full. But other PMP sufferers haven’t been so lucky - indeed, many die because they go undiagnosed until it’s too late to help them. The disease is so rare, many doctors haven’t even heard of it, let alone know how to diagnose and treat it.
I decided to make this music video to help raise awareness of PMP, so that others like me can find the medical help and the emotional support they need. Quite simply, the more people who know about PMP, the more lives can be saved. More people will get diagnosed in time and get the right treatment.
We didn’t light it… but we tried to fight it!
I’m a music producer in my spare time, and for many years I’d been wanting to make my own version of Billy Joel's classic song, ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’. I re-wrote the lyrics so that they mention events, trends and people from the last 25 years - since Billy released the original song.
Interestingly, 25 years ago there was no effective treatment for PMP. People would have just grown more and more sick, and eventually die - like the actress Audrey Hepburn, who sadly lost her battle with PMP in 1993.
The video stars PMP patients, their friends and families and other supporters from around the world. I was able to connect with them through Facebook and invite them to be part of it. Everyone had fun making it, even those who have sadly been given a terminal diagnosis.
One in a million
PMP is a one-in-a-million cancer. With this music video, I’d like to make one million people aware of PMP. Quite simply, the more people who are aware of PMP, the more lives can be saved. More people will get diagnosed in time, get the right treatment, and also find and access the emotional help and support they need.
So please watch the video, and share it with all your friends on social media. You can use the Twitter hashtag #PMPoneinamillion, or like our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pmponeinamillion.
Pseudomyxoma Survivor is a charity that provides information, advice and support to PMP patients. Every little helps, so please consider making a small donation: http://www.charitychoice.co.uk/pseudomyxomasurvivor-181519
