Remembering Helen

When the players of Ashton Brass Band realised that one of their members was seriously ill in hospital one of the
suggestions was to go and play Danny Boy outside her window. Helen Ramsden made it very clear no such schmaltz
was to be allowed. When Helen died in October 2011 the band wanted to do the one thing they could - play music - to
raise awareness of the condition that lead to her untimely death, while celebrating Helen's indomitable spirit.

A talented flugel player, Helen had played with the band for many years. When Helen developed pain in her fingers 4
years ago her playing career was essentially over. She had Raynauds disease - with painful spasms of the arteries in
her fingers, where getting her hands cold could lead to the development of gangrene. This was the first sign of the
disease Scleroderma - a rare autoimmune condition which can affect any part of the body with common problems of
skin, blood vessels and lungs.

Helen suffered skin, joint, lung, heart, brain and kidney complications through the course of her illness. This did not
stop her - she continued to be a lecturer at Oldham College and a dedicated fundraiser. When she developed breast
cancer she threw herself into treatment with gusto - including a party where she and her sister shaved their heads - in
preparation for her chemo. A diagnosis of breast cancer would be every woman's worst nightmare - Helen's cancer
was in remission after chemotherapy, radiotherapy & surgery. Throughout all of this, she remained determined, full
of life and always the life & soul of a party.

In spring 2011 Helen developed a scleroderma renal crisis which caused end stage kidney failure & dialysis. Things
started to get tough - life on dialysis was hard and lead to her spending long periods of time away from her family at
Salford Royal Hospital. Her resilience & determination meant that everyone (including the doctors and nurses on the
renal unit) were surprised when it became clear that Helen couldn't recover from the many complications she had
picked up.

Helen died on the 5th of October, peacefully and with her husband Phil holding her hand. She leaves 2 beautiful and
talented daughters who will carry on her musical legacy. Ashton Band, together with musicians from Mossley Hollins
School, performed a concert on the 9th of December 2011 & have raised approximately £4000 in Helen's name.

Thank you to all the people who have supported us with donations and time.