Teenage prom queen arrested after pretending she had Leukaemia to raise $17,000

.

Good grief!......how many more low life's are going to try this sick scam?......have they no conscience ?

A prom queen who raised $17,000 after convincing her hometown she was dying of leukaemia has been arrested. 

Nineteen-year-old Angie Gomez, from west Texas, told concerned friends, family and even her fiancé she had just six months to live, and the community rallied around her with offers of support.

A police investigation led to the teen's arrest at her place of work on Friday, on a charge of theft-by-deception.

Her fake charity slogan was 'Behind every fighter there is a supporter. Will you be mine?'...Perhaps it should have been "alongside every REAL fighter there is a scammer...can I be yours?" 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2133317/Angie-Gomez-Teenage-prom-queen-arrested-pretending-cancer-raise-17-000.html#ixzz1sidEv3LR 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2133317/Angie-Gomez-Teenage-prom-queen-arrested-pretending-cancer-raise-17-000.html#ixzz1sic0L1y2

Bride 'Faked Leukaemia To Pay For Dream Wedding'

A US woman has been charged with fraud after falsely claiming she was dying of cancer in a bid to get her "dream wedding".


Well-wishers donated a wedding dress, the rings, and a honeymoon time-share in Aruba to 25-year-old Jessica Vega, who said she had leukaemia.But the New York state attorney general's office said she had been indicted on charges of fraud and grand larceny, after investigating concerns initially voiced by her husband, Michael O'Connell.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said: "By pretending to have a terminal illness, Vega inexcusably took advantage of the community's hearts and minds and profited off of their generosity

To read the full story click HERE.

.

Donors answer call for Policeman with Leukaemia

When an appeal went out to find a bone marrow donor for Insp Rik Basra no one was expecting the sort of response that it generated.....and what a result !

Donor high after policeman appeal


.

Origin of chronic lymphatic leukaemia

.
Up until now the causes of the development of chronic lymphatic leukaemia, the most common form of cancer of the blood in Europe, have been unknown. At present a cure is not possible. A research group at the MedUni Vienna led by Christoph Steininger of the University Department of Internal Medicine I has now however discovered a lead on the origin of this disease. Says Steiniger: "This could influence the therapy approach taken in treating chronic lymphatic leukaemia."

For approximately 20 years it has been suspected that chronic lymphatic leukaemia occurs through the stimulation of B cells with other factors also playing a part. In the current research study, which has been published in the journal Blood, the scientists were looking for an antigen that attaches itself to the leukaemia cell receptors and they were able to identify the protein pUL32 of the human cytomegalovirus.

Virus "conceals" itself in cells

The cytomegalovirus, a member of the herpes family of viruses, is carried by approximately 60 to 70 percent of the Austrian population without them getting ill from it and without them even noticing that they are carrying the virus. In most cases people are infected with the virus during childhood. After being infected, the virus goes on to survive in the cells of the immune system their whole life long. The virus conceals itself within the cells and in addition it confuses the immune system with its own chemical messengers.

Only when the immune system in an infected person is weakened, for example by medical suppression as part of an organ transplant or in an HIV-illness, can the virus make someone ill. Whether this virus infection can trigger leukaemia, or whether the connection observed between leukaemia and the cytomegalovirus points to another mechanism, independent of the virus, in the origin of the cancer is now the subject of several follow-up studies.

One of the follow-up studies is looking at whether an antiviral treatmentagainst the cytomegalovirus can prevent the leukaemia cells from being stimulated and so prevent the further advance of the disease.

More information: „Recombinant antibodies encoded by IGHV1-69 react with pUL32, a phosphoprotein of cytomegalovirus an B-cell superantigen.” C. Steininger, et al. Kipps. Bloodjournal, doi: 10.1182/bllod-2011-08-374058

Provided by Medical University of Vienna

.

Haunting Titanic picture....

.


I found this rather low quality grainy picture whilst looking at Titanic related images today and thought I would share it with you.....

It is a picture of a pair of empty shoes lying on the seabed 2 1/2 miles below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.

They have laid in the dark freezing depths for 100 year and silently mark the spot where one of the 1500 souls who perished that day came to rest. Just a pair of shoes perhaps, but i find the image very poignant because it makes me consider what a fragile thing life is and consider the question "When we leave this world what will we leave behind to mark our existence"?

Who wore these shoes? We will almost definitely never know, but there they are, 2 1/2 miles below the angry grey Atlantic Ocean, the only physical marker remaining to show the last resting place of a fellow human being....someones mum,dad,sister,brother,husband or wife....... but now...just a pair of shoes remains......

To read more about the Titanic story and to see more pictures click HERE.

.

Team doctor claims Petrov could have been a Chernobyl victim

Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov may have been a victim of nuclear radiation from the Chernobyl disaster, the Bulgarian doctor has said. The Villa skipper was diagnosed with acute Leukaemia last week and is undergoing treatment.

But it has emerged that Petrov could have been harmed by the toxic plume from the exploding Ukranian energy plant fell over Bulgaria in 1986.

To read more about this story please visit the Mail Online Newspage by following this link.

.

Stan Petrov's Leukaemia still headline news

Its a sad fact that illnesses such as Leukaemia never get a great deal of press coverage unless it affects a well known public figure.

Last week Aston Villa player Stan Petrov was diagnosed with Acute Leukaemia and simply Googling either his name or the word " Leukaemia" will return hundreds of web pages of info relating to his battle against his newly diagnosed illness. But why does it only seem to be that when stars such as Stan are affected that the media sit up and take notice? What about the thousands of other "normal" people, many of them children, who are, and have been fighting their own battles for many years,....why don't the press appear to hold their lives in such high esteem.... are they less valuable than Stan? Less news worthy?

This post is not against Stan, far from it,  i wish him the very best of luck in his battle. This post is aimed squarely at the media who only appear to give a damn...or space in their papers, to the subject of illnesses such as Leukaemia if it is deemed to sell their product.

How much exposure have they given recently  to the ongoing search for new bone marrow donors by the Anthony Nolan charity? How much backing have they given to Sir Ian Botham and Geoff Thomas in their support of the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research charity? Yet they pick up a story such as Stans and milk it simply to make money for themselves....how hollow and pointless is that?

Papers reach millions and they have the power to influence many into action.....yet how many so far have encouraged people to sign up to become bone marrow donors? how many have suggested fans make a donation to fund research into Leukaemia Research? THAT is the point that the media is not making, and for Stan and many thousands like him, that literally could be the difference between life and death.

.

Teenager's leukaemia not diagnosed because equipment was switched off

.

A blood specialist did not carry out a test that could have identified a 13-year-old girl's leukaemia because a crucial piece of equipment was switched off, an inquiry has heard.


Kathryn Beattie died at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow on June 21, 2004, after undergoing emergency surgery for bleeding on the brain.She had been admitted to the city's Victoria Hospital the night before after complaining of mild flu-like symptoms and struggling with her speech.After a brain scan revealed bleeding, Kathryn was transferred to the Southern General for surgery, but died shortly afterwards.

Biomedical scientist Alexander McLauchlan told a fatal accident inquiry that a blood film test, which could have shown up that she had leukaemia, would have been carried out if Kathryn had been admitted to hospital in the daytime.However, after 1pm on Sundays the machine used to stain the film was switched off so that it could be prepared for use the following day.

In blood film tests, a blood sample is pressed between two pieces of glass before being stained and analysed.Mr McLauchlan said Kathryn's blood results would have prompted someone in his position to examine a blood film if the equipment had been available.He told the inquiry at Glasgow Sheriff Court: "They are prepared ready for staining the next morning. That's what happens every night when we are on call.

"If I looked at the blood film that evening I could have said, that looks suspicious."

However, Mr McLauchlan also said that in 2004 he did not think he would have been able to recognise acute myeloid leukemia, the subtype of acute promyelocytic leukemia which Kathryn had.

The inquiry, before Sheriff Linda Ruxton, continues.

.

Stiliyan Petrov diagnosed with Acute Leukaemia

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has been diagnosed with Acute Leukemia, the Premier League soccer club said on its website.

The diagnosis was confirmed by tests the 32-year-old midfielder underwent for a fever following last weekend’s loss at Arsenal.

“We expect to learn more about Stiliyan’s situation in due course and we have moved quickly to support him and his family,” the club said in a statement. “Stiliyan is cherished by many and he will get from Villa every ounce of love and support that we have to help bring this to a positive conclusion.”

This story illustrates yet again the way in which Leukaemia, a disease which is often labeled as one which effects  the very young or the very old, can in fact strike at pretty much any time in an individuals life.

Of course we all wish Stiliyan all the best in his fight against his Leukaemia, but i also hope that the thousands of his fans who have already paid tribute to him on numerous sites may perhaps comsider popping a few quid in the direction of Leukaemia related charities such as Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and the Anthony Nolan trust. These organisations ,and others like them, are at the very front line of helping to try and save the lives of Stiliyan and thousands like him around the world. To all the fans and supporters i would say " dedications and kind words will give comfort to the individual but your support for those charities fighting Leukaemia gives a chance of life to many!"

In 1960 when Leukaemia Research was founded by the Eastwood family after the tragic death of their daughter Susan, a childs chance of surviving Acute Leukaemia was 1 in 10.

Due to the advances made in treatment over the last 50 years almost 9 out of 10 children beat this disease....but they need YOUR support to continue their AMAZING work :-). Lets make it 10 out of 10..

Good luck Stiliyan :-).

.

Mike Rutherford: My son's battle with leukaemia

.
Telegraph columnist Mike Rutherford pays tribute to his 22-year-old son Marcus Rutherford, who lost his fight against leukaemia in February.

I won't try to post an article to explain the story behind the circumstances which lead to the loss of Marcus,Mike makes a much better job of telling the story than i could ever hope to achieve so I will just ask instead that you follow the link below to read Mike's article about facing the loss of his son who sadly and suddenly died of Acute Leukaemia (ALL) in February 2012.

Mike's story

Our thoughts of course go out to the Rutherford Family at this most difficult time.

 

Scirocco 50LLR on Top Gear...at last!

.

Well it was a well kept secret, but now it's official. The Scirocco 50LLR has at last been asked to appear on Top Gear. Show TV dates to be published soon :-)

( This is of course a dream...but you never know...perhaps one day! :-) )

Any rich people out there who want to save a Scirocco ?

.


I guess that it's not a surprising fact that due to increases in the cost of...well everything really !I have had to take the decision to retire the old Scirocco to the driveway whilst I consider my options.

Running 3 cars in the UK is not a very good way of saving money, and sadly there is no real recognition for some bloke who runs a car to promote a charity......not being an MP I can't claim "expenses" for such an extravagance! :-)

Insuring the Golf TD has just cost me £500. The wife's Skoda Roomster cost almost £300 and the Scirocco (limited to 3000 miles per year) cost £150 .So having to choose which car I was going to use as my daily came down not to preference, but economy, so the Golf TD which returns a good 55mpg has now stepped into the Scirocco's shoes as my daily commuting vehicle (the Scirocco was costing me £13 per day in fuel as it could ,at best,manage approx 35-37 per gallon.

To add insult to injury I now have the Scirocco on the drive without MOT or Road Tax as they both expired in December. And to add injury to insult and injury...she has developed something of a swimming pool in her rear footwell's which has resulted in me having to remove the seats and strip back the carpets!.....and the battery keeps going flat!.......

If anyone reading this post fancies helping me keep the old girl (25 in March) on the road to continue her work with Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, please make yourself known :-)

In my experience an unused car is so much more likely to have a major breakdown than a daily drive, and i would hate that to happen to a car that has become something of a minor celebrity in the VW world.

Now.....when is the lottery being drawn again?

.

Called by 02078340997 ? PPI company? Read on....

I was called the other day by an Asian sounding chap who, after telling me who i was (!), then started to bang on about PPI's. Not sure what he was trying to sell/survey/promote, but he was very persistent in asking if we had claimed a PPI mis sell or if we intended too. He also asked if we did decide to claim would it be for a loan or Mortgage?.

After telling him that I was not interested in discussing this with him he rang off, so i did the old 1471 and the number 02078340997 was the number it logged.

Having Googled the number it appears that an awful lot of folks are getting similar calls......but why?

Anyone else had these calls? If so, please leave a comment with your experience after this post and maybe we can shed some light on what these calls are about, or more to the point...what are they up too?

This is one possibilty perhaps:

"

Bogus PPI refund scam

Written by Administrator

Sunday, 01 January 2012 12:36

Bogus caller scam warning Lothian and Borders Police are urging the public to remain vigilant following a new bogus-caller scam operating in Edinburgh. A 64-year-old man received a call from a male claiming to be from the Ministry of Justice Department in London. The caller informed him he was due a PPI refund, which he could collect after wiring an administration fee to a lawyer in India. However, the man became suspicious and refused to transfer any money. He then contacted police who are warning others not to fall foul of this scam. A police spokesman said: “The issue of PPI refunds is very topical at the moment and these fraudsters are attempting to capitalise on this. ”Anyone who receives a similar call should not provide any personal details or agree to transfer money and should contact police immediately.” Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111"

>I have a short recording of my conversation with the chap on the phone, and, once i figure out how, i will post that up on here also<

.

Dr Terry Hamblin, champion of Leukaemia sufferers ,has died.

.

The workd has lost a leading light in the fight against Leukaemia with the sad news that Terry Hamblin passed away on Sunday.


Terry's name is recognized  by a huge number of people around the world as an authority on the subject of CLL and like many many others I always found solace in his friendly and reassuring articles on his blog "Mutations of Mortality".


Click HERE to read the article posted in the Bournemouth Echo:

The world today is a much poorer place with his passing. RIP Terry, you where an inspiration and a champion for the many CLL sufferers around the Globe.

To read the many interesting posts covering a wide range of subjects, not only CLL, on his excellent Blog click HERE.

.
.

Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi fights Lymphoma.

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi is to undergo treatment for cancer after being diagnosed with lymphoma. His bandmates - with whom he has recently been reunited to record a new album - have asked for fans to send 'positive vibes' to the 63-year-old musician. The hard rock pioneers recently reformed with their original line-up to work on their first album together for 33 years. A statement released on behalf of the band said: 'Iommi is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan -the Iron Man of rock & roll remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery.' The group, widely credited with creating heavy metal, insist they will plough on with plans for the new album. Black Sabbath had also lined up a series of major dates during the year. Iommi and colleagues Ozzy Osbourne, bass player Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward announced last year that they were together again once more. They had been writing and recording in Los Angeles with producer Rick Rubin on an album due for release in the autumn.