Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Donation protected
Hi, Stewart and Jan here and we are fundraising for lifesaving immunotherapy treatment for our mum.
The story is tragic and one that we still can't believe we have to tell but we hope you read to the end so that you understand our call for help, and because it might just prevent a similar situation from happening to you or your loved one.
Here goes:
Our mum, Valerie, was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer in March. She'd had a significant goitre (swelling of the thyroid gland) for over 15 years with no active monitoring by her GP.
Approximately 12 months ago her dental consultant (she had a gum issue) requested her GP to review her goitre. The result of that request was a telephone conversation with the GP.
After undertaking no in-person examination, the GP was satisfied that our mum had no issues.
In January 2022, both our parents caught Covid. They were both fully vaccinated and were largely fine, recovering quickly. However, towards the end of her isolation, our mum's voice went hoarse. Ever diligent with her health, our mum called her doctor. The GP referred her to an ENT consultant who determined that our mum's left vocal cord was paralysed. She was then sent for a neck scan, X-ray, and biopsy.
It was determined that she had thyroid cancer and she would need her thyroid removed.
She was reassured that this would solve her problem, it was not aggressive, and she would be dancing again in no time.
The cancer was initially determined to be papillary thyroid cancer which is the most common thyroid cancer; Rod Stewart, Sofia Vergara and Katee Sackhoff are celebrities who have made a full recovery after being diagnosed and treated for papillary thyroid cancer.
Our Mums surgery was slow to be arranged and then delayed a further time on the day it was originally scheduled.
In May the operation went ahead, it was a lengthy and difficult operation. After yet more delays waiting for pathology, on June 9th we received the devastating diagnosis of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer: the rarest and most aggressive form of Thyroid Cancer, one that is resistant to all typical cancer treatments.
THE CALL FOR HELP
The only effective treatment that will give our mum any hope of an extended quality of life, and possibly even remission, is not available on the NHS for this cancer!
Both drugs used for this treatment Pembrolizumab and Lenvatinib are licensed for other cancers and available on the NHS, but they are not available to treat Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer, which we can't really comprehend.
The drugs are extremely expensive - thousands of pounds every three weeks, money that we just do not have readily available. Our mum and dad are selling their home as a starting point, and as a family we will add funds wherever possible, but we need everyone's help.
Please donate if you can and spread the word far and wide. It sounds cliché, but no amount is too small. Hold fundraisers if you are able and ask employers to donate or spread the word for us; we need to reach hundreds of thousands of people.
If you know of any charities or donors that we could contact, that would also be very much appreciated.
Please also keep your eyes peeled for various fundraising concerts and activities that we will be putting on as a family.
Anyone that knows Val will know what a sensitive, compassionate, kind, and funny soul she is. She worked for the NHS for most of her adult life and now the institution she gave so much too is gravely letting her down. Please help her to continue to have the life she deserves.
Thank you for helping x
Fundraising team: Val’s Voice (6)
Janine Young
Organizer
England
Valerie Taylor
Beneficiary
Morgen Taylor-Goulding
Team member
Sam Young
Team member
David Young
Team member
Stewart Taylor
Team member
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