Help Save A Dad: Mark Bryants Fight for Life

Dear Friends and Supporters,

My name is Mark Bryant and I need some help.

I need to raise £ 65,000 to travel to America for what could be life saving treatment and I only have a limited time to do it. This treatment has the potential to change the course of my terminal cancer journey and give me more time with my family.

A like, a comment or share or a contribution of any size will go along way to helping me overcome my biggest challenge yet.

My Journey So Far

In June 2015, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Ph+, a very challenging type of blood cancer. I underwent a full-intensity stem cell transplant (STC), with my brother bravely stepping in as my donor.

It is one of the most toxic treatments humans are exposed to in the cancer world—where I received eight weeks of high dose chemotherapy followed by four days of full-body radiation. But it didn't end there.

In April 2016, I faced the devastating news that the cancer had returned. I refused to be told my revised prognosis and focussed on getting well.

I later discovered my prognosis was considered terminal with a life expectancy of six months. This allowed me to claim my life insurance which gave my the financial breathing space to fully focus on my health.

This included travelling to Florida for four rounds of treatment to rebuild my immune system. The treatment worked with one of the key markers (my natural killer cell function) increasing from 0% to 9.7%. The goal was to get me into the normal range of 16 - 39%.

A Sting in the Tail

I ended the treatment early because of the increasing financial pressures and time away from the family. When I returned I tried to rebuild my career always with the aim of getting back to Florida to complete the treatment I was recommended.

As the years passed, one of my projects was Terminal to Triathlon where my goal was to complete a full distance Ironman, run a podcast and raise money. Fifty percent would go towards my treatment and fifty percent to support other cancer patients.

The good news is that I completed the Full Distance Ironman in Ireland in August 2022 in 14 hours and 10 minutes.

The bad news is that I didn't raise enough money and two months later I had another major relapse.

The last two years have been a rollercoaster of hope and despair. My cancer has developed quite aggressive drug resistance and the treatment options are running out fast and I have had another relapse in July.

A Glimmer of Hope

The amazing team at the NHS managed to secure funding for two more lines of treatment that may give me some more time and a bridge to another treatment.

On Saturday the 25th August, I was able to pick up a second prescription that has allowed me to attempt to head back to Florida for two weeks.

I have to be back in the UK for my next bone marrow assessment on September 17th. Then, I can decide on the best next steps.

Asking for Help is Difficult

It’s hard to ask for help, and I must acknowledge I can't do this alone.

As well as trying to rebuild my career, I've researched tirelessly to find more affordable alternatives. Yet, all roads lead back to this treatment that has worked for me before.

A Way to Give Back

Over the past nine months, as well as working with trained practitioners and advocates of Metabolic Institute of Health (MTIH), I am also training to be an advocate where I will get to support other cancer patients.

I have learned more this year than in the nine years since my original diagnosis. I am excited to share this with the world to help inspire, educate and empower other cancer patients.

Why Your Help Matters

The past twelve months have been extremely difficult and at times I have thought it would be a lot easier on everyone else if I wasn't here.

I have spent over eight weeks in the hospital as an inpatient. Once when I had a relapse before Christmas, once when my body shut down due to a toxic overload from the treatment and five weeks when I had the CAR-T treatment in March.

My friends and family have had to endure relentless journeys to the Christie for appointments, treatments and visits while I had to remain in the hospital under care.

The thing that keeps me going is my love of life, my family and my friends. I want to grow old with Fiona, walk my girls down the isle and play with my grandchildren.

This treatment could make that possible. But time is running out, and I urgently need your support.

Whilst I may look extremely healthy right now and whilst the disease is at a low level, acute cancers can grow very fast. My first personal experience with cancer was when my mum walked into the hospital with a funny taste in her mouth, and two weeks later, she passed away from another fast-growing cancer.

How You Can Help

Please consider supporting my GoFundMe campaign. It could be a like, a comment or a share.

If you feel called to contribute to the campaign, no matter the size, it brings me one step closer to the treatment I need.

Helping me overcome my latest challenge will allow me to dedicate the rest of my life to the health and medical industry trying to integrate the biggest lessons I've learned.

With love and huge appreciation,

Mark x