GAVIN'S BATTLE WITH BRAIN CANCER
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This is up to a 3 month project.
We are Helen Plank and Nigel Plank and we have 5 children the oldest of whom is Gavin.
We live in Caterham, Surrey
We are raising funds for Gavin to pay for a course of drugs , Bevacizumab, which is not available on the NHS and has to be funded privately. The estimated cost of the drugs and treatment is approximately £30,000.
The money raised will be paid directly to the Royal Marsden as and when required. The initial cost of the treatment is over £18,000. Each further treatment will be approximately £5600 plus the cost of consultant’s fees.
Gavin has malignant anaplastic brain cancer which is life limiting. He is losing his sight and has muscle atrophy which is worsening and he will soon be in a wheelchair
This page is to raise funds for Bevacizumab, a drug only available privately, which will be infused in order to improve Gavin's overall strength and stamina so that he should not become wheelchair bound. There is also a possibility this drug may improve some vision by shrinking his brain oedema
Gavin's improved strength is vital for him to be able to tolerate his ongoing treatment and also for him to have a better quality of life for the time he has.
This is Gavin at the start of his journey. . .
8 years ago Gavin was in a stable relationship, a job in the city and on the cusp of a happy family life becoming a Dad for the first time. Two days after the birth of his baby son Gavin was diagnosed with a meningioma (brain cancer).
Since that time his life has changed beyond all recognition.
Initially the tumour was benign, however over time it has changed its pathology firstly to benign atypical to aggressive atypical and then last year to Grade 3 malignant anaplastic brain cancer.
Gavin is under the Royal Marsden who describe his condition as so rare it is unique. As they have not seen this particular type of aggressive cancer before they have no experience of treating it.
All the interventions Gavin is receiving are unprecedented and the consultants have described him as a 'Trailblazer'.
Gavin has courageously battled his changing condition for 8 years and has undergone:
3 surgeries to his brain
2 courses of radiotherapy
Now on his second type of chemotherapy
He has suffered 2 life threatening seizures
Constant migraines
Muscle atrophy affecting his ability to walk
He is registered as partially sighted with his vision deteriorating
According to Cancer experts, Brain Cancer is at the bottom of the pile as far as funding, research and sponsorship is concerned, because it is so rare in relation for example to breast or prostate cancer.
Gavin’s condition at this precise time is described as “Life-Limiting” and by its very nature there is no known solution.
HOWEVER
There is HOPE.
In 2017 scientists in Japan were given a grant to study the effects of Gemcitabine, a known lung & pancreatic cancer drug on mice with malignant meningiomas. The trial showed that the Gemcitabine killed malignant cells.
Gavin has been receiving Gemcitabine at the Marsden and is on his 4th infusion.
We understand he is probably the first human being to be treated with Gemcitabine for brain cancer.
In addition to this chemotherapy, Gavin is also on steroids to try and reduce brain swelling.
His latest MRI last week showed that the cancer has at present stopped proliferating.
Gavin’s consultant is as shocked as anyone at this as the use of the Gemcitobine is unprecedented and the consultant only suggested its use as a 'last resort'.
Due to the drugs having a detrimental affect on Gavin's body, he is now suffering from muscle atrophy and his consultant says this will continue to deteriorate to the point that he will soon be in a wheelchair. Added to this he could lose his sight completely.
The consultant's recommendation is to combat this by the use of another drug called Bevacizumab. This we are assured will have a significant affect on the oedema and swelling in the brain and may also have a positive affect on the tumour and necrosis caused by radiotherapy.
However this drug is not available on the NHS and has to be privately funded.
Hence this page to raise funds for this drug which will improve Gavin's overall strength and stamina in order that he can continue any treatment and have a better quality of life.
We are Helen Plank and Nigel Plank and we have 5 children the oldest of whom is Gavin.
We live in Caterham, Surrey
We are raising funds for Gavin to pay for a course of drugs , Bevacizumab, which is not available on the NHS and has to be funded privately. The estimated cost of the drugs and treatment is approximately £30,000.
The money raised will be paid directly to the Royal Marsden as and when required. The initial cost of the treatment is over £18,000. Each further treatment will be approximately £5600 plus the cost of consultant’s fees.
Gavin has malignant anaplastic brain cancer which is life limiting. He is losing his sight and has muscle atrophy which is worsening and he will soon be in a wheelchair
This page is to raise funds for Bevacizumab, a drug only available privately, which will be infused in order to improve Gavin's overall strength and stamina so that he should not become wheelchair bound. There is also a possibility this drug may improve some vision by shrinking his brain oedema
Gavin's improved strength is vital for him to be able to tolerate his ongoing treatment and also for him to have a better quality of life for the time he has.
This is Gavin at the start of his journey. . .
8 years ago Gavin was in a stable relationship, a job in the city and on the cusp of a happy family life becoming a Dad for the first time. Two days after the birth of his baby son Gavin was diagnosed with a meningioma (brain cancer).
Since that time his life has changed beyond all recognition.
Initially the tumour was benign, however over time it has changed its pathology firstly to benign atypical to aggressive atypical and then last year to Grade 3 malignant anaplastic brain cancer.
Gavin is under the Royal Marsden who describe his condition as so rare it is unique. As they have not seen this particular type of aggressive cancer before they have no experience of treating it.
All the interventions Gavin is receiving are unprecedented and the consultants have described him as a 'Trailblazer'.
Gavin has courageously battled his changing condition for 8 years and has undergone:
3 surgeries to his brain
2 courses of radiotherapy
Now on his second type of chemotherapy
He has suffered 2 life threatening seizures
Constant migraines
Muscle atrophy affecting his ability to walk
He is registered as partially sighted with his vision deteriorating
According to Cancer experts, Brain Cancer is at the bottom of the pile as far as funding, research and sponsorship is concerned, because it is so rare in relation for example to breast or prostate cancer.
Gavin’s condition at this precise time is described as “Life-Limiting” and by its very nature there is no known solution.
HOWEVER
There is HOPE.
In 2017 scientists in Japan were given a grant to study the effects of Gemcitabine, a known lung & pancreatic cancer drug on mice with malignant meningiomas. The trial showed that the Gemcitabine killed malignant cells.
Gavin has been receiving Gemcitabine at the Marsden and is on his 4th infusion.
We understand he is probably the first human being to be treated with Gemcitabine for brain cancer.
In addition to this chemotherapy, Gavin is also on steroids to try and reduce brain swelling.
His latest MRI last week showed that the cancer has at present stopped proliferating.
Gavin’s consultant is as shocked as anyone at this as the use of the Gemcitobine is unprecedented and the consultant only suggested its use as a 'last resort'.
Due to the drugs having a detrimental affect on Gavin's body, he is now suffering from muscle atrophy and his consultant says this will continue to deteriorate to the point that he will soon be in a wheelchair. Added to this he could lose his sight completely.
The consultant's recommendation is to combat this by the use of another drug called Bevacizumab. This we are assured will have a significant affect on the oedema and swelling in the brain and may also have a positive affect on the tumour and necrosis caused by radiotherapy.
However this drug is not available on the NHS and has to be privately funded.
Hence this page to raise funds for this drug which will improve Gavin's overall strength and stamina in order that he can continue any treatment and have a better quality of life.
Organizer
Helen Plank
Organizer
England
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