Join Us in Supporting Tara's Life-Saving Treatment Journey

This is my beautiful best friend Tara, and in August 2023, at only 34 years of age, she received the devastating diagnosis of Triple Negative Breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC is a rare and aggressive variation of invasive breast cancer and compared to other cancers has limited treatment options due to its lack of hormone based receptors.

Since her diagnosis, Tara has endured the hardest year of her life, bravely battling this relentless disease. She’s undergone over 20 rounds of intense chemotherapy and more than 10 sessions of immunotherapy all of which she took in her stride.

However, after months of exhausting treatment and some truly horrendous side effects we were told that Tara has been deemed unresponsive, as her tumour continued to grow. In February 2024, doctors performed an emergency mastectomy and axillary surgery in a critical effort to save her life.

The operation was a success, and after undergoing additional radiotherapy in April 2024, Tara was declared disease-free. However, due to the aggressive nature and high recurrence rates of TNBC, combined with Tara’s previous lack of response to treatment, her treatment continued as she was enrolled in the Tropion-03 clinical trial. This trial was a preventative measure designed to lower Tara’s risk of relapse and reduce the likelihood of her cancer returning.

Unfortunately, our celebrations were short-lived as following a routine scan 3 months later an incidental find devastatingly discovered that Tara’s cancer had returned to her lungs. The spread was confirmed to be across both lungs and therefore deemed inoperable.

Tara is now diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Secondary Triple Negative Breast cancer, this form of cancer is incurable.

Upon this news Tara and her partner Lewis sent their friends and family a simple message “We are eloping! We will be married in a simple ceremony in New York. Nothing fancy, just love.”

Upon returning Tara went straight into a new treatment of ‘Trodelvy’ chemotherapy, devised to deliver powerful anticancer medicine directly into cells with Trop-2 proteins. This treatment is designed to prolong Tara’s life however, we have been told that it will only work for a period of time.

Tara has also recently undergone a biopsy of her lung tumours which has revealed that she would benefit from Enhertu treatment. Unfortunately although research proves this treatment is effective it is not currently available via the NHS as NICE (The National Institute for Care & Excellence) have deemed it too expensive to fund.

This GoFundMe therefore will start as the basis for financial support in ensuring Tara can afford access to this vital life prolonging treatment. It is currently estimated at circa £7,500 - £13,000 per month.

This whole process would be traumatic for anyone, but is extremely close to home for Tara who supported her own mother, Tanya, through chemotherapy. Tanya sadly lost her battle with melanoma skin cancer in 2009.

Nevertheless Tara has taken everything in her stride, smiling, laughing and remaining as positive as possible. Of course she has her dark days but even with all the knock backs she’s received she’s remained her upbeat, optimistic and happy self the majority of the time. Tara is an exceptional person, her outlook on life is nothing short of extraordinary.

Tara’s career background is in mental health, she is a trained mentor and coach, and before her diagnosis she had just launched her own business ‘The Well Place’ to help people effectively deal with anxiety, stress and depression within the workplace. Despite everything Tara has continued helping others and recently held a seminar at 'The Mental Health & Wellbeing Show' and featured as a guest speaker on ‘The Wellness Journey Podcast’ which will be available on Spotify from 4th November.

Tara is also a “friend to the elderly” and before her treatment started she regularly visited her friend Ann, and has previously volunteered with The Wallich supporting the local homeless, but over and above all she’s an incredible friend.

As I’m sure you can agree she is an exceptionally selfless person, always helping and thinking of others before herself, so now it’s time to rally round and support her in return.

Tara has been very private about her journey to date but has agreed to the creation of this GoFundMe, she is in full support of the page and will be informed every step of the way. All funds raised will go directly to Tara allowing her access to the treatment she needs whilst being able to spend quality time with her loved ones.

Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference. Please help us rally around Tara in this critical time.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please don't hesitate to reach out, I'd be happy to provide details and keep you updated on Tara's journey.

If you'd like to assist with fundraising efforts, we would be incredibly grateful. Please reach out to directly through GoFundMe to discuss any ideas or initiatives.

Thank you for your generosity and support.