Book launch to raise funds for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

.

JAVEA - AFTER losing her eldest son Kenan to leukaemia three and a half years ago, Javea resident Gina Gatoli-King will be selling signed copies of her startlingly honest and moving memoir, Oi Oi Saveloy!, at a fund raising day on Saturday December 11 at Bar Quo Vadis, Calle Cannes 5, in Javea.

The day at Quo Vadis, next to Javea Karting, will be a chance to celebrate Kenan’s young life and to have some family fun in the build up to Christmas. Among the attractions will be Father Christmas and a Clown plus an Auction too! The money raised from the Auction will be donated to Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

Leukaemia is the most common cancer in children, accounting for about one third of cases, and the numbers are still growing. Thankfully more children are surviving through medical advances but sadly, for Gina and her husband Lev, Kenan lost his battle aged just eleven years old.

Gina wanted Kenan’s two younger siblings to understand, in time, what happened to their big brother, and Oi Oi Saveloy! began as no more than a few memories on a piece of paper. But in writing, Gina realised that others in a similar situation might benefit from her experience and the book rides every emotion the journey of cancer brings upon loved ones.

Oi Oi Saveloy! is Gina and Lev’s tribute to Kenan and is her story of how the whole family coped with the daily challenges of dealing with a life threatening illness, and in a foreign country too. Kenan was treated at La Fe hospital in Valencia and Gina and Lev have already raised funds and donated toys and games to the children in the cancer wards there.

Published by UP Publications, Oi Oi Saveloy! by Gina Gatoli-King, can be purchased at the event, and online through UP Publications, Waterstones, WH Smith or Amazon and here soon in Spain through local bookshops and supermarkets.

By Karen Mullally