A hashtag and a celebrity fueled fundraising campaign is in full swing to help L.A. based entertainment journalist Amy Watts who was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at the age of 37 last month.
Simon Cowell made a donation and tweeted his 11.3 million followers, “Amy Watts, a lovely young woman I first met more than 10 years ago needs our support.”
Watts has been having grueling chemo therapy every two weeks and was hoping to have an operation to cut out the cancer in December. Her U.S. doctors have now said that is not an option. A second option from a doctor in the UK has made the operation, and a follow up one, possible at Spire Hospital in Leeds.
By the time Watts stepped off the airplane her friends had already raised £30k of the projected £100k needed to pay for the operation and other expenses. By the end of the week they had hit £50k. In addition to Cowell, Express Newspapers’ Richard Desmond has pitched in £10k, Noel Gallagher, Suede, Jermaine Jackson and many more have reportedly pitched in as well.
Pop star Matt Goss threw a charity ball were he urged insiders in publishing and entertainment to give. Watts was one of his “Goss Girls” before she went on to write for the Daily Star and other publications. “”We are all very busy but not busy enough not to show solidarity and help this wonderful young lady,” said Goss. “Every journalist, every photographer, every friend in the media and every friend of mine and Amy’s, please come and show your support.”
Britain’s Got Talent warm up host, Ian Royce has embarked on a 24 hour charity walk.
A fundraising website, Facebook community page and Twitter account have all been set up to great success.
The hashtag #holdamyshand has been trending in the UK.
To give please go to: http://www.holdamyshand.com/
