Elaine’s GBM brain tumour journey

We need your help!

My sister Elaine, who is 44 yrs old, has been sadly diagnosed with a Glioblastoma brain tumour. It’s a grade 4 terminal diagnosis with a prognosis of only 12-15 months. Utterly horrific.

Back in April this year Elaine was initially admitted to hospital with a suspected stroke and a scan revealed a large mass…Stoke Hospital performed a craniotomy and 95% was successfully removed. However, these types of tumours are resistant to treatment and are highly aggressive.

She’ll be starting a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy very soon, however, we are desperate to give her the best fighting chance with additional treatments to prolong her life as long as possible (currently consulting with IOZK clinic in Germany for a personalised cancer vaccine/ immunotherapy) From research, it’s definitely giving us hope as it’s a very promising development in the treatment for this type of brain tumour. It will cost 11K for initial testing and 70K for the treatment so 80K is our goal.

As you can imagine, we are completely heartbroken and devastated by the diagnosis, but in awe of Elaine’s continued strength, positivity and resilience. She’s prepared for the fight of her life - she has so much to live for, 2 wonderful teenage children and a husband.

Elaine has also been helping to transform young lives for the past 2 years as a children’s residential care worker where she’s adored and missed hugely. Unfortunately she’s now unable to return to her job which is an extra blow.

We need to raise what feels like a huge amount! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

UPDATE 17th December

We had the first scan results since finishing radiotherapy and the 1st round of chemo which Elaine completed alongside the additional treatments in October and it was positive! It showed reduced swelling and overall size of tumour which is amazing. Elaine has already started her treatment Germany thanks to the funds raised so far...while the personalised vaccine is being produced (we're expecting it to be ready in April) she's been receiving a plethora of supplementary treatments such as hyperthermia, blood oxidisation, NDV, VIT C transfusions alongside the standard of care ie high dose chemotherapy.

We're so grateful to have your support and thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts Elaine is doing really well! We need to continue fundraising in the New Year as the trips to Germany cost 6-8K each monthly visit.

We don't know what the future holds so we are determined to enjoy our time together and have a lovely Christmas…..we hope you do too!

Update 20/11/2024

Thank you to Powerhouse Dance studio and all the friends and parents who took part in the parachute jump. We will be forever grateful for your generosity and bravery.

Another thank you to Ali and Tony, Elaine's brother in law and cousin for completing the gruelling Dragon Ride - amazing effort!

We have also held a fundraising raffle in our hometown Telford. We managed to raise an incredible £3.5K! The generosity and love our friends, family and friends of friends have shown to not only Elaine but to our whole family is overwhelming. Thank you to all who attended and bought raffle tickets and also a massive thank you to all the companies that donated to our raffle.

Elaine has now completed her first round of SOC consisting of 100mg Chemo and radiotherapy treatment daily for 30 days. She is now on the 2nd phase which is 5 days of 320mg of chemotherapy. Then we go to Germany for 5 days for her immunotherapy treatment which we have now completed the first two trips, with the next one booked in for the first week of December.

Thank you to everyone who has sent their well wishes, donated or assisted us in any way.

UPDATE 2nd August

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy has begun at Shrewsbury Hospital, Elaine has coped with it really well so far! 4 more weeks to go

Massive thank you to Ali (brother in law) and Tony (cousin) for signing up to the mammoth and gruelling Dragon cycle ride 23rd June! You were amazing

Looking forward to the parachute jump 8th September- big thank you to Maddie’s cheerleading team and for Gill Hancox for organising. Good luck!

More fundraising events to follow