Save a Nurse’s Life

Claire Von Derau was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in February 2022 at age 35. She had been suffering from headaches that she thought were the result of work stress.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain cancer with no cure and less than 5 percent of those diagnosed live past 2 years. Claire has passed the one year mark after 2 recurrences, five brain surgeries, 6 weeks of radiation, and multiple rounds of chemo.

Claire worked as an RN and union steward prior to her diagnosis. She is passionate about advocating for a better healthcare system for patients and providers. She has a loving husband, Stephen, and a puppy (named Paulie (as Claire says, all dogs are puppies - Paulie is 2) . They mean the world to her and she desperately wants more time with them.

The most promising treatment for glioblastoma in decades is in the works but is not yet approved. DCVax is a form of immunotherapy and was developed by Northwest Biotherapeutics and Dr Linda Liau of UCLA. The study results are overwhelmingly positive with far more patients living past 5 years and some reaching 10 years or longer. It is available for compassionate use in the UK (at a private pay cost of approximately $250,000). US and full UK approval is expected this year, however Claire doesn’t have the luxury of waiting.

We are asking for help so that Claire can keep laughing at Stephen’s jokes and Stephen can continue to have his best audience with the loudest laugh. We need Claire to get this treatment immediately, not when the FDA decides to approve it. Chemotherapy is relatively ineffective to her GBM and this is her best bet to spend more time with Stephen and Paulie and her friends and family.

Claire has been reluctant to set up a GoFund Me but she finally said yes. She loves life and wants to keep laughing loudly.