Fundraiser for Lymphoedema and Oedema Surgery

Hi, my name is Cliff and I’m fundraising for Sarah Aldred.

For those of you who know Sarah, her drive and determination to overcome her medical conditions is well understood.

That she can manage to continue to run CHeWs (a not-for-profit Dog Training Club), organise and run fund raising events for a number of charities and volunteer for local charities, is nothing short of remarkable.

For most of her life, Sarah has suffered with Lymphoedema, which has seriously affected her mobility and causes much pain. She uses a mobility scooter and has specially adapted hand controls in her Motobility funded car, to allow her to drive. To help alleviate some of the symptoms, Sarah underwent a stomach bypass operation last year and as a result, she has reduced her weigh from an initial 38 stones down to her current weight of 17 stones.

As the Lymphoedema condition has continued to worsen and any help from the NHS is far into the future, Sarah sold some of her most precious possessions to fund a private consultation and in April this year, Sarah was diagnosed with Oedema and a Massive Lymphatic Lipoma.

At the time, one of the surgeons was amazed that Sarah was able to walk at all, given that the combined weight of the fluid retained in her legs alone is estimated at approximately 3-4 stones.

This condition has unfortunate side effects and is causing Sarah the sort of constant pain that most people would find unbearable.

Her only option now, is potentially lifesaving surgery that is not available on the NHS.

The private surgical procedure will require a 10-day pre-op stay in hospital and at least a 10-day post-op stay.

The actual operation is expected to last for approximately 6-7 hours and will require the attendance of three specialist surgeons.

Despite the inherent risks of this complicated surgery on both legs, Sarah can see no other way of being pain free and living a more normal life.

This is where we all come in.

The estimated costs for the hospital stay, operation and some post-op care is more that Sarah would ever be able to afford and so we are aiming to raise £65,000 to make the operation possible.

Please share this appeal and give as much as you can, even small amounts will help us reach our total.

Thanks

Cliff