In episode 302 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Mark Ferris.
Mark is a proud stepfather to two boys and lives with his wife Sarah in Chelmsford in Essex.
However, the reason we are checking in is because of an important campaign Sarah and Mark are running to raise money for life-saving treatment for one of his stepsons, Callum.
Callum is currently 15 years old and one day, he was sent home from school with a headache.
What transpired was Mark and Sarah’s worst nightmare.
Callum was taken to hospital and diagnosed with a very serious brain tumour. After some heavy conversations, they decided to start a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to get him some treatment abroad to give him the best chance possible, to find a way to remove it.
In this episode we discuss Mark’s mental health journey and his Irish roots, moving to England, the grief of losing his dad in 2015, meeting Sarah and being introduced to Callum and his brother William.
We also discuss how he navigated becoming a stepfather and creating a blended family, the importance of having a positive relationship with Callum and William’s biological father, and why these stories are also important to highlight.
We then discuss the campaign for Callum, where it is right now, how they have used it as a family to live for the here and now, and how the campaign has given him and the family hope.
As always, #itsokaytovent
You can donate to Callum's campaign here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/raising-funds-for-callums-brain-tumour-treatment?attribution_id=sl%3Ac5c70953-8c7a-45a9-919f-05e814a3545d&lang=en_GB
You can follow Mark, Sarah and their family's journey on social media below:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjandferris/
Support Us:
Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpuk
PayPal: paypal.me/freddiec1994?country.x=GB&locale.x=en_GB
Merchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shop
Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk
TRIGGER WARNING: this podcast contains a deep discussion about grief and loss, which some listeners may find distressing or upsetting, so please listen with caution.
