Help Nikki Fight Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer

Hello all,

Whilst I never thought I’d find myself in this position, I am writing to the world to appeal for your support.

In November 2022 at the age of 26, my best friend Nikki received the devasting news that she had stage 3c Low-Grade Serous Primary Peritoneal Cancer- an extremely rare, complex and under-researched form of Ovarian Cancer. Nikki went through almost a year of investigations and was misdiagnosed before reaching this unexpected and heart-breaking news.

In February 2023, Nikki underwent major surgery at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester to remove what they could of the cancer, and she is now 4 sessions into chemotherapy at the Christie in Manchester. Despite medical intervention, this diagnosis is life changing for Nikki as with current treatment options her cancer is incurable. Low-grade serous ovarian cancer is often resistant to chemotherapy however Nikki is trying everything she can to improve her quality of life and prolong her life expectancy.

Nikki’s cancer, like many other women’s was already advanced and had spread to other areas of her body by the time she was diagnosed. As it stands, the average life expectancy for women diagnosed with this type of cancer is less than 9 years.

For those of you that know Nikki and I, you’ll know that we have a unique incomparable friendship. She is my one in a million friend and soulmate. She’s supportive, loyal and has a cracking sense of humour, she’s my biggest supporter and confidant. I simply can not imagine a world without her in it.

Nikki’s friends and family are devastated by this, and we are desperately trying to find a way we can help her reach her dream of travelling the world and raising awareness/ funding for this rare form of cancer. For this reason, we have created a fundraiser so that people can show their support for Nikki by donating to this cause.

Not many people realise this, but on top of the physical and psychological effects of cancer there is also a significant financial burden that comes with having a terminal diagnosis. Travelling for appointments and treatment, coping with hair loss, increased energy bills and adaptations/medical aids are just some of the costs that come with having cancer. Nikki is unable to work but will continue to face financial strain for the rest of her life. Your support will allow Nikki some peace of mind and allow her to focus on the things that are important to her.

Our goal is twofold:

• To give Nikki the chance to travel the world, achieve some of her bucket list, providing her with unforgettable memories throughout this challenging journey

• To help fund imperative future research into Low Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer conducted by Professor Charlie Gourley and the fantastic team at the Nicola Murray centre in Edinburgh

To kick start this fundraising, a group of Nikki’s close friends are running the Manchester Half marathon on 15th October 2023. We are also planning various other fundraising activities in the coming months as everyone has ideas they want to pursue. Our dedication to fundraising for Nikki will never stop.

At such a young age, Nikki is facing the reality of a significantly shorter life expectancy – her future has been stolen from her. Fundraising will in no way change that but will give her the opportunity to fulfil her dream of seeing some of the world. She has been my biggest supporter throughout life, and has helped me pursue my dreams and now it is my mission to ensure that she gets to fulfil her dreams too.

Please donate as much or as little as you can to help my best friend.

Thank you for your support and together let’s create a brighter future for Nikki and other people facing this rare and challenging disease.