Dele's Journey Against Colon Cancer Help Save My Life

Hello everyone my name is Dele Adewunmi,

This is a request for help from me a 52-year-old father, son, brother, uncle and friend to many and a community-serving citizen. I've been diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer that has spread to my liver. I was diagnosed in August 2023 and have been battling it since through chemotherapy treatment and a great oncology team. Unfortunately, my private medical health insurance cover was terminated as the company my wife works for are no longer financially able to offer this benefit despite being one of the biggest cancer charities in the UK.

I am now a patient of the public NHS health service, but not all treatment options are available to me understandably due to Government funding shortfalls and red tape. Additionally, waiting times for decisions in the UK health service take a long time, time I don't have. My need for internal radio therapy is urgent, as it is the only way to provide me with a chance at a better life.

The Situation

Medical Details:

The condition has already progressed, making it critical to have this targeted treatment. Without this therapy, my cancer could spread even more and my options for future recovery and treatment become very limited.

My primary tumour is responding well and has shrunk over the period I've been undergoing chemotherapy however, the liver tumours aren't responding as well.

Current Situation:

My family, who are supporting me, need help in covering the costs of the procedure. The estimated cost for the radio therapy is $24,000. The procedure is to be carried out abroad as the cost for treatment in the UK is prohibitively higher at a total of £33,000 plus £4,000 in surgeons fees totalling £37,000 if self funded.

Denied Funding:

Unfortunately, despite having full cancer cover as part of the insurance offered by my wife's employer, the private insurance company in question AXA Health UK has denied funding for the treatment (just the day before the procedure was due) 1 month after notifying them of the pending treatment, essentially sentencing me to death at the last minute.

The Need for Assistance:

Procedure Importance:

The radio therapy is crucial for me to be able to undergo a liver sectioning procedure after, that could aid in my recovery and treatment. This procedure is not possible without the radio therapy.

Supporting the Family:

I have two children who are deeply attached to me. They need their father and I need their support. Your contributions can help ease the financial burden on my family and friends during this difficult time.

About Bandele (me):

Community Involvement:

Over the years, I've consistently given back to various charities in Nigeria and internationally. I've been an active fundraiser and a welfare advocate for a better Nigeria, internal Nigerian disaster victims, a widow care organisation, orphanages, sick and injured individuals owing to electoral violence, disadvantaged women and female children, sight savers (operations to restore sight in developing countries), Water Aid (providing safe drinking water for communities in developing countries) and my Alma mater to name a few.

Dedication to Work:

I'm a dedicated worker who has always gone above and beyond to help others. This is a time I never thought would come in my life, one when I not only need help but have to dig ever so deep to find the courage to actually ask for it.

I'm not proud, I'm just very conscious of how hard we are all struggling to get by and as such, this makes this very difficult for me to do, but do it I must as I want to live long enough to witness my children graduate. I want to walk my daughter down the aisle and give her away in marriage when that day comes...I want to ask her how her first day at work went and help her move into her first home and hopefully, meet my grandchildren or at least one of them.

I need your help to realise these dreams that only come naturally to a father.

What You Can Do:

Donate:

Any amount you can donate will be greatly appreciated and will go a long way in helping me and my family during this difficult time.

Share:

Sharing this page with your friends and family can help us raise awareness and funds for my treatment.

Every donation, no matter the size, will make a difference in my life and the lives of my family. Please consider supporting us in this critical time. Your support will not only save a life but also bring hope to a family going through a very difficult situation.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Donate Now:

[https://www.gofundme.com/create/fundraiser/review/Dele's-journey-against-colon-cancer-help-save-my-life]

Please note that any funds raised above the cost of the treatment will be used to support paying for my wife to accompany me for the procedure abroad in a strange country where I have no family or support network for 6 weeks and ensure my family have all the necessary support during this difficult time. Thank you for your support from the bottom of my heart!