Bradley Collop's Cancer Fundraiser
Donation protected
Our brother Bradley (47) and Belinda (40) of Botswana along with their children were joyously surprised at the revelation that Belinda was pregnant again in 2015 and that baby Pia was due in July 2016. At the time the whole family had fought a long hard fight through what was the most trying challenge before the pregnancy which left Belinda stripped of her opportunity to work and go about her daily life due to illness for 2 years. So with the news of Pia's birth brought great joy and hope as Belinda was on the road to full health and ready to conquer the everyday again. However, shortly after Pia's 1st birthday Bradley developed annoying little ailments that led to consistent doctors visits and tests but unfortunately went un-diagnosed.
Months went by in which Bradley was simply left with the choice to adapt to his new strength and get on as best he could, which he did. As a family we had decided to get him across to Australia to visit in November of 2017 as we had not seen each other in 4 years and this was the least expensive option available for all of us to see him. Just 3 weeks before he was meant to arrive his health unfortunately took a turn and he fell ill and very quickly worsened to the point where after a week sick at home he collapsed.
It was then confirmed via tests that Brad was losing blood from somewhere in his body, in which a colonoscopy ensued and showed a polyp in his colon. Having been reassured by the doctor that it was non life threatening and a simple removal would resolve everything, he was cleared for travel. And so, Brad traveled down to Aus for a couple of weeks with his son Phillip, whilst having a great time and enjoying the assurance that he would be fine the trip was overshadowed a week in when it was confirmed from the biopsy that it tested positive for malignant cells.
Removal of the polyp was scheduled a week later from his return date to Botswana. Upon opening the abdomen, the surgeon discovered the polyp was in fact a sizable tumor. With this, the surgeon stopped the surgery and closed up the wound and referred Brad onto oncology. Unfortunately due to further neglect Brad was only seen in oncology a month later, however we were reassured that his prognosis was very good and definitely treatable.
And so began the start of his Chemo which was a fortnightly 48 hour infuser, with a resection of the colon planned this July 2018. Nicolai at this time decided to travel down from Denmark to help Brad for the first session and to gain a better understanding of the prognosis so that we could plan the best way of assisting them all through his care period. With Brad being off work every second week, we, together with our immediate family along with extended family and friends set out to provide financial and practical care as best as possible.
The first tumor marker review and CT scan was done at the end of session 5 (March 2018), which the results provided hope, showing the tumor had reduced to just 4cms. With all of the positive results received, the oncologist opted for Brad to complete all 12 sessions but the resection timeline unfortunately saw delays as chemo supplies were not always on time. Eventually session 12 was completed on the 3rd of August 2018. From March end to 2nd week of August, no further CT review or markers were done by his medical team.
As the resection was now planned for August 27th, I traveled to Botswana to be with Brad and his family through his hospital stay and to assist with his surgery post care. A pre-op CT scan was done as part of the surgery planing, the results evidenced that chemo post “first review” had in fact not worked as well as predicted, noting that the tumor had increased to 7cms. Upon further deliberation and review we were given the news that surgery was to be placed on hold and that a second course of chemo was required.
As you can imagine, this news devastated us all as we had anticipated and was expectant that the planned surgery would be the end of Brads cancer journey. However with renewed faith, hope and direction, we set out to prepare for the next round of treatment due to have started mid September.
Current Situation
As Brads medical Insurance has run out, he has since been referred to the government hospital however after many waiting hours, days and weeks they have declined to take Brad on as a patient. The reasons for which are not clear at all, and we cannot understand how a hospital meant to provide free care to its citizens is not able to do so. With no avenue to appeal to, our way forward is to fund his Chemo treatment ourselves.
To date we have Raised $4,200 (Aus) which has covered his first session. And are halfway to the second. The total treatment plan at the current exchange rate is $24,860.
Further to his treatment costs going forward we have been given a bill of $20,800, which although prior approved has now been rejected by his health insurance, once again no avenue for appeal.
Our Ask as a family
Please would you partner with us in prayer for a miracle and to raise much needed funds, $40,000 in total to give Bradley and his family the best fighting chance at beating this disease. This past year has really been a hard one for us all, not just emotionally but physical and financial too and we would like nothing more than to see Brad free of cancer. Belinda and their kids have done an outstanding job in keeping the daily going with very little indeed but need all our assistance to help Brad to full health again.
Please note that all funds raised will be directed straight to the hospital. The account will be managed from Australia with the administrators being Bradley, Nicolai and Leora (Mingy). So please feel free to send him a note of encouragement. We will post regular updates and provide a full account of bills paid as we work to reaching our goal.
On behalf of Bradley and Belinda, Nicolai and all our families, a massive Thank You for your Prayers, Love and Support through this journey. You are very much appreciated.
Months went by in which Bradley was simply left with the choice to adapt to his new strength and get on as best he could, which he did. As a family we had decided to get him across to Australia to visit in November of 2017 as we had not seen each other in 4 years and this was the least expensive option available for all of us to see him. Just 3 weeks before he was meant to arrive his health unfortunately took a turn and he fell ill and very quickly worsened to the point where after a week sick at home he collapsed.
It was then confirmed via tests that Brad was losing blood from somewhere in his body, in which a colonoscopy ensued and showed a polyp in his colon. Having been reassured by the doctor that it was non life threatening and a simple removal would resolve everything, he was cleared for travel. And so, Brad traveled down to Aus for a couple of weeks with his son Phillip, whilst having a great time and enjoying the assurance that he would be fine the trip was overshadowed a week in when it was confirmed from the biopsy that it tested positive for malignant cells.
Removal of the polyp was scheduled a week later from his return date to Botswana. Upon opening the abdomen, the surgeon discovered the polyp was in fact a sizable tumor. With this, the surgeon stopped the surgery and closed up the wound and referred Brad onto oncology. Unfortunately due to further neglect Brad was only seen in oncology a month later, however we were reassured that his prognosis was very good and definitely treatable.
And so began the start of his Chemo which was a fortnightly 48 hour infuser, with a resection of the colon planned this July 2018. Nicolai at this time decided to travel down from Denmark to help Brad for the first session and to gain a better understanding of the prognosis so that we could plan the best way of assisting them all through his care period. With Brad being off work every second week, we, together with our immediate family along with extended family and friends set out to provide financial and practical care as best as possible.
The first tumor marker review and CT scan was done at the end of session 5 (March 2018), which the results provided hope, showing the tumor had reduced to just 4cms. With all of the positive results received, the oncologist opted for Brad to complete all 12 sessions but the resection timeline unfortunately saw delays as chemo supplies were not always on time. Eventually session 12 was completed on the 3rd of August 2018. From March end to 2nd week of August, no further CT review or markers were done by his medical team.
As the resection was now planned for August 27th, I traveled to Botswana to be with Brad and his family through his hospital stay and to assist with his surgery post care. A pre-op CT scan was done as part of the surgery planing, the results evidenced that chemo post “first review” had in fact not worked as well as predicted, noting that the tumor had increased to 7cms. Upon further deliberation and review we were given the news that surgery was to be placed on hold and that a second course of chemo was required.
As you can imagine, this news devastated us all as we had anticipated and was expectant that the planned surgery would be the end of Brads cancer journey. However with renewed faith, hope and direction, we set out to prepare for the next round of treatment due to have started mid September.
Current Situation
As Brads medical Insurance has run out, he has since been referred to the government hospital however after many waiting hours, days and weeks they have declined to take Brad on as a patient. The reasons for which are not clear at all, and we cannot understand how a hospital meant to provide free care to its citizens is not able to do so. With no avenue to appeal to, our way forward is to fund his Chemo treatment ourselves.
To date we have Raised $4,200 (Aus) which has covered his first session. And are halfway to the second. The total treatment plan at the current exchange rate is $24,860.
Further to his treatment costs going forward we have been given a bill of $20,800, which although prior approved has now been rejected by his health insurance, once again no avenue for appeal.
Our Ask as a family
Please would you partner with us in prayer for a miracle and to raise much needed funds, $40,000 in total to give Bradley and his family the best fighting chance at beating this disease. This past year has really been a hard one for us all, not just emotionally but physical and financial too and we would like nothing more than to see Brad free of cancer. Belinda and their kids have done an outstanding job in keeping the daily going with very little indeed but need all our assistance to help Brad to full health again.
Please note that all funds raised will be directed straight to the hospital. The account will be managed from Australia with the administrators being Bradley, Nicolai and Leora (Mingy). So please feel free to send him a note of encouragement. We will post regular updates and provide a full account of bills paid as we work to reaching our goal.
On behalf of Bradley and Belinda, Nicolai and all our families, a massive Thank You for your Prayers, Love and Support through this journey. You are very much appreciated.
Fundraising team: Bots Kids (4)
Leora Abraham
Organizer
Algester QLD
Nicolai Hess Pedersen
Team member
Bradley Collop
Team member
Hayley Eagle
Team member
