#TransplantForTom #LuckyNo3
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Life Saving Stem Cell Transplant for Tom
In December 2013, Tom found a lump on one side of his neck. Unsuspecting, he left a doctor’s appointment with antibiotics in hand grumbling about the hassle of visiting the GP during a work day and oblivious to how our lives were about to change. 3 weeks later, he underwent an emergency biopsy and the doctors confirmed our worst fear, Tom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma (a blood cancer).
Aged 23, and 3 months after starting his first professional job in London, Tom started chemotherapy to get rid of the disease that had progressed extensively across his lymphatic tissue, bones and organs. Tom responded well and completed the 6-month treatment while working and maintaining a normal life. The relief from treatment was short-lived and one week after finishing the first chemotherapy, he relapsed.
During the last 3-and-a-half years Tom has fought this with all his efforts; undergoing 7 different types of chemotherapy, multiple radiotherapies, drug trials, two stem cell transplants and a lot of nights in hospital. Recently, an un-licensed immunotherapy treatment has allowed Tom to temporarily get on top of this horribly aggressive cancer.
The only chance of a long term cure and ultimately saving Tom’s life is to undergo a third stem cell transplant (hence Lucky No.3), as soon as possible, this time from an unrelated donor.
Even though his doctors all agree that this is the only option left, the NHS has a non-negotiable policy that will not allow them to fund this transplant.
The cost of a stem-cell transplant can rise to £150,000, luckily Tom opted for health insurance when he started his job and we are so so grateful that they will cover the majority of this cost leaving Tom to pay for the costs associated with the stem-cell donor. Consultants have advised this will be around £30,000.
Doctors at Kings College Hospital have told us that the transplant is time critical and want to schedule it 5 weeks from now. To enable the transplant to go ahead we are doing everything that we can to raise the money. I am desperately calling on all of our friends and family and anyone else who would like to help us reach £30,000.
A donation of any size would be hugely appreciated. Tom and I cannot express how grateful we are for your support and generosity.
In December 2013, Tom found a lump on one side of his neck. Unsuspecting, he left a doctor’s appointment with antibiotics in hand grumbling about the hassle of visiting the GP during a work day and oblivious to how our lives were about to change. 3 weeks later, he underwent an emergency biopsy and the doctors confirmed our worst fear, Tom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma (a blood cancer).
Aged 23, and 3 months after starting his first professional job in London, Tom started chemotherapy to get rid of the disease that had progressed extensively across his lymphatic tissue, bones and organs. Tom responded well and completed the 6-month treatment while working and maintaining a normal life. The relief from treatment was short-lived and one week after finishing the first chemotherapy, he relapsed.
During the last 3-and-a-half years Tom has fought this with all his efforts; undergoing 7 different types of chemotherapy, multiple radiotherapies, drug trials, two stem cell transplants and a lot of nights in hospital. Recently, an un-licensed immunotherapy treatment has allowed Tom to temporarily get on top of this horribly aggressive cancer.
The only chance of a long term cure and ultimately saving Tom’s life is to undergo a third stem cell transplant (hence Lucky No.3), as soon as possible, this time from an unrelated donor.
Even though his doctors all agree that this is the only option left, the NHS has a non-negotiable policy that will not allow them to fund this transplant.
The cost of a stem-cell transplant can rise to £150,000, luckily Tom opted for health insurance when he started his job and we are so so grateful that they will cover the majority of this cost leaving Tom to pay for the costs associated with the stem-cell donor. Consultants have advised this will be around £30,000.
Doctors at Kings College Hospital have told us that the transplant is time critical and want to schedule it 5 weeks from now. To enable the transplant to go ahead we are doing everything that we can to raise the money. I am desperately calling on all of our friends and family and anyone else who would like to help us reach £30,000.
A donation of any size would be hugely appreciated. Tom and I cannot express how grateful we are for your support and generosity.
Organizer
Jessica Norbury
Organizer
