Please help raise money for Mel’s cancer treatment

Thank you so much to everyone who is taking the time to read our story. 

 

Our beloved Mel, a hard working paediatric nurse, has been fighting advanced bowel cancer since she was diagnosed in August 2022 at the age of 42.

 

Mel’s diagnosis came as a huge shock as she only had symptoms for a short while before seeking medical advice from her GP. Soon after her diagnosis Mel started intensive cancer treatment. She had countless rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This was followed by life changing surgery to remove a large section of her bowel, meaning she now lives with a stoma bag. Mel suffered hugely with the side effects of treatment and at times was incredibly unwell. Mel took this without question and showed unbelievable strength and resilience throughout her treatment and this difficult journey.

 

Despite all the gruelling treatment she went through, in October 2023, Mel found out that the cancer had spread to her liver and was inoperable. This was devastating and unexpected news, but it did not dampen her courage to keep fighting. After many tests and days of uncertainty Mel found out she was eligible for a clinical trial. The trial started and the side effects were horrific. Mel became increasingly unwell and after only a few weeks on the trial, Mel was given the heartbreaking news that the cancer had spread to her lungs, and she was not allowed to continue the trial.

 

Unfortunately, Mel now finds herself in an incredibly challenging situation as she needs urgent life prolonging cancer treatment which is not available on the NHS. The treatment Mel needs is a specialist targeted monoclonal antibody therapy which is designed to reduce blood supply to the cancer, stopping it from growing further. Combined with oral chemotherapy, this treatment has been successful at prolonging life in some people with advanced cancer. 

 

The cost of this treatment is exorbitant and as such we are reaching out to you in the hope that you will join us to help raise enough funds for Mel’s treatment. The cost of this treatment is £3000 per month. We would be over the moon if we were able to raise enough money for a year's supply. 

 

Before her illness, Mel worked as a paediatric nurse and dedicated her life to looking after sick children. Throughout her successful career, Mel worked in a hospital setting and a neuro rehab centre, providing specialist care to children, supporting them and their families when they were most vulnerable. Mel’s husband Matt is also a paediatric nurse, and they have three beautiful children (a daughter who is 12 and 2 little boys who are 10 and 7). As you can imagine, life for their family over the past two years has been extremely difficult but Mat has continued to work whilst looking after Mel and the children.

 

Despite countless hurdles that cancer has thrown in her path, Mel continues to fight with unwavering determination to live her life and spend as much time as possible with her beautiful family. Mel holds a special place in many of our hearts as a loving relative, faithful friend, and compassionate colleague. On behalf of everyone who loves and cares for Mel, we express our deepest gratitude for your support and kindness. We cannot achieve this without your generous contributions and together we can make a difference and show Mel and her beautiful family they are not alone on this arduous journey. 

Any funds raised may also be put towards exploring alternative treatment options or seeking second opinions, ensuring that Mel has access to all the help that is available to her.

Thank you so much for reading. 

Please share.

 

Eileen and Vicky x