Robs Chemo Fundraiser

Hi, my name is Rob. You may have been following me since my first diagnosis of AML or more recently since I learned it had mutated and changed and.had become Terminal.

I was given 3 options for treatment - well, 4 if you count removing my testicles.

The first course was vincristine which sadly did not work - so they applied for the next option.

Unfortunately the NHS rejected the application because its for a palliative treatment rather than a curative. They don't see the reward for paying for a treatment that won't fix anything (but could slow it down)

The 3rd option was applying for compassionate grant of another drug the NHS won't fund from America but this takes several weeks to hear back from and is far from certain to be approved.

They are reluctant to offer stronger chemo as it could end up killing me earlier than planned and would likely make my final months unpleasant with side effects.

I'm keen to try the Nelarabine (option 2) but can't afford the upfront costs. I'm toying with taking out a loan to fund it if the banks will let me and also trying to tap into my pension pot if they are able to let me.

My only other option is to start a go fund me like this which is the last thing I want to do. It feels wrong asking you kind people especially after your generosity in helping me work through my bucket list.. but this is the hand I've been dealt and now here I am.

I want to be remembered for never giving up and for taking all the options at my disposal.