Doing it for Gemma
Donation protected
Update***
Gemma was given yet another devastating blow on 12th December. The doctor came to see us whilst we were visiting and informed us that they won’t be able to give Gemma any more treatment, the tumours in her liver are too aggressive and the avastin won’t be able to fight the tumours on it’s own as it works better with chemo. Yet again this was so devastating and heartbreaking to hear. They are now focusing on Gemma’s pain and making her comfortable and in as least pain as possible.
My sister, Gemma Epstein (37), was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016. This came as a devastating blow, particularly as she had visited a walk-in centre and her primary care provider complaining of worrisome symptoms up to one year prior to diagnosis.
In April 2016, she was finally diagnosed with colon cancer and was able to have a major operation to remove the tumour which was followed with 6 months of intensive chemotherapy. The surgery was a success and Gemma was hopeful that she would be in remission, but, very sadly, the cancer had already spread to her lungs. The tumours in her lungs have not responded to two types of intravenous chemotherapy or a tablet form.
Two years on and the cancer has spread to her brain, hip bone and liver. She has been told the devastating news that the NHS, as brilliant as they have been in attempting to treat the cancer, cannot continue with treatment so Gemma has had no choice but to pay privately.
Gemma has been in and out of many hospitals since August 2018 with swelling and fluid on her brain from radiotherapy, and severe headaches, she also had an emergency operation to drain the fluid from her brain, which as a family was heartbreaking for us to see.
More recently, she had radiotherapy on her hip bone which should reduce pain and help her walk better but sadly, then discovered the cancer in her liver has turned aggressive, covering 50% of the organ. An operation is out of the question due to tumours being scattered across her liver.
Gemma has recently been to Germany to consult with a specialist about having promising immunotherapy treatment, which could be lifesaving, but the cost is in excess of £200,000.
I would love Gemma to be strong enough to travel to Germany but her only option at the moment is to have private treatment (Avastin) in the UK which is costing around £2,000 each session, roughly every 2-3 weeks.
Throughout all of this, Gemma has remained strong, both physically and emotionally, but I, and the rest of our family, are extremely concerned that the uncertainty she faces is starting to take its toll and we desperately want to help her in any way we can.
Local friends and family have been amazing in working hard to raise as much money as possible to help Gemma with her treatment. If Gemma responds well to the Avastin, the funds raised already will be used to continue with that treatment. We will need to continue fundraising to pay for private treatment in the UK. If enough funds are raised, and Gemma is strong enough to travel to Germany, I would love her to receive the immunotherapy they have offered.
I am asking for any kind donations to help Gemma get the treatment she so desperately deserves. My family and I hate to ask, but time is running out for such a special and inspirational young girl who has already endured such devastation yet still puts up a strong fight along with her fiancé, Ben, and his family who have been an amazing support to my family and me.
Gemma was given yet another devastating blow on 12th December. The doctor came to see us whilst we were visiting and informed us that they won’t be able to give Gemma any more treatment, the tumours in her liver are too aggressive and the avastin won’t be able to fight the tumours on it’s own as it works better with chemo. Yet again this was so devastating and heartbreaking to hear. They are now focusing on Gemma’s pain and making her comfortable and in as least pain as possible.
My sister, Gemma Epstein (37), was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016. This came as a devastating blow, particularly as she had visited a walk-in centre and her primary care provider complaining of worrisome symptoms up to one year prior to diagnosis.
In April 2016, she was finally diagnosed with colon cancer and was able to have a major operation to remove the tumour which was followed with 6 months of intensive chemotherapy. The surgery was a success and Gemma was hopeful that she would be in remission, but, very sadly, the cancer had already spread to her lungs. The tumours in her lungs have not responded to two types of intravenous chemotherapy or a tablet form.
Two years on and the cancer has spread to her brain, hip bone and liver. She has been told the devastating news that the NHS, as brilliant as they have been in attempting to treat the cancer, cannot continue with treatment so Gemma has had no choice but to pay privately.
Gemma has been in and out of many hospitals since August 2018 with swelling and fluid on her brain from radiotherapy, and severe headaches, she also had an emergency operation to drain the fluid from her brain, which as a family was heartbreaking for us to see.
More recently, she had radiotherapy on her hip bone which should reduce pain and help her walk better but sadly, then discovered the cancer in her liver has turned aggressive, covering 50% of the organ. An operation is out of the question due to tumours being scattered across her liver.
Gemma has recently been to Germany to consult with a specialist about having promising immunotherapy treatment, which could be lifesaving, but the cost is in excess of £200,000.
I would love Gemma to be strong enough to travel to Germany but her only option at the moment is to have private treatment (Avastin) in the UK which is costing around £2,000 each session, roughly every 2-3 weeks.
Throughout all of this, Gemma has remained strong, both physically and emotionally, but I, and the rest of our family, are extremely concerned that the uncertainty she faces is starting to take its toll and we desperately want to help her in any way we can.
Local friends and family have been amazing in working hard to raise as much money as possible to help Gemma with her treatment. If Gemma responds well to the Avastin, the funds raised already will be used to continue with that treatment. We will need to continue fundraising to pay for private treatment in the UK. If enough funds are raised, and Gemma is strong enough to travel to Germany, I would love her to receive the immunotherapy they have offered.
I am asking for any kind donations to help Gemma get the treatment she so desperately deserves. My family and I hate to ask, but time is running out for such a special and inspirational young girl who has already endured such devastation yet still puts up a strong fight along with her fiancé, Ben, and his family who have been an amazing support to my family and me.
Organizer
Becky Epstein
Organizer
