Help Jamie Fight Brain Cancer

PLEASE NOTE: This page is currently closed for donations. Please see most recent update from Jamie.

An update from Jamie:

As of May 2023, I am 2 years and 3 months from my initial diagnosis of a stage 4 brain tumour. As we know, the expected survival time for people with Glioblastoma is 12–18 months and only 25% of people survive past 1 year. Thanks to the treatment I’ve been receiving, I can honestly say I’m feeling better than ever, and I am delighted to be beating the odds one day at a time! We are so, so grateful for the amount of money donated to date which has allowed me to get to this point. I have travelled to Germany 15 times since October 2021, leaving my husband at home with our 4 children. This is a huge investment of time, money and leaving my kids is so hard, but it is an investment worth making.

But, all the money raised to date has been spent on treatment. We have depleted our savings and cannot afford to continue without fundraising again, so I need to ask for your help. Please take the time to watch my video below and donate if you can.

Thank you

My story so far.

Diagnosis and treatment

May 2023 marked 2 years and 3 months since I had emergency surgery to operate on a newly discovered brain tumour, that was subsequently diagnosed as Glioblastoma Grade 4; a rare brain cancer for which there currently is no known cure. At the time, the life expectancy of someone in my condition was 12-18 months. I was 31 and had just given birth to our fourth child, Fiadh, who turned two at the beginning of February. She is now a vivacious toddler who fills our home with so much joy alongside her older sister Tara (4) and brothers Tadgh (6) and Liam (8).

Since my diagnosis, I have undergone the standard treatments of chemo and radiotherapies here in Ireland, but these did not deliver the desired results. The effects of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and long-term steroid use on my body was devastating. I was unrecognisable and physically depleted.

In the latter half of 2021, I was identified as a suitable candidate for a trial treatment delivered by IOZK, a clinic in Cologne, Germany. The treatment is designed to specifically target Glioblastoma, but to go ahead with the treatment for 12 months, I needed approx €250,000 which we simply didn’t have.

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of our friends and family and the incredible generosity from those who heard my story, we raised just over €235,000 and I started treatment in Nov, 2021. Since then, I have spent 5-8 days in Germany every month receiving treatment. It has stabilised my cancer and significantly reduced the speed at which the tumour is growing. It has also allowed me to live well while I undergo treatment as there are fewer side effects than conventional treatments.

However, now that I am 18 months into receiving this life-lengthening (and so far live-saving) treatment, the funds are gone. For me to continue with this treatment, we need to raise more money.

An update on how I’m doing now.

Considering my illness and the expected prognosis, I am doing well. This time last year I needed wheelchair assistance when travelling for treatment, but I am strong enough now to walk through the airport unaided. I have been determined to help my body recover in any way I can with diet, exercise, herbal supplements, medication adjustments and the immunotherapy treatment in Germany. I now feel I am finally in a good place. I have been able to enjoy quality time with my family and I continue work and make plans for the future.

Thank you for your generosity to date.

Both myself and my husband Danny are unbelievably grateful for the amount of money donated to date. It has allowed me to defy the odds and live so well for so long. It has given me invaluable quality time with my young children and allowed me to be well enough for most day-to-day activities with them, whether that’s making dinners, helping with homework or playing with them out in the garden (when I can get them off their Kindles! ).

But following 18 months of treatment in Germany, the money raised to date has run out. We have depleted our own savings and cannot remotely afford to pay for treatment without significant financial help, so for me to continue receiving this treatment, we need to ask for your generosity once again.

We are continuing to fundraise and we would be forever grateful if you could consider making a donation to help me fight brain cancer!