Help Us Fight Luke’s Brain Tumour
Donation protected
At the beginning of December 2020, our family received some devastating news. An MRI scan revealed an 8.5cm tumour in Luke’s brain.
Luke had been experiencing multiple fainting episodes each day for over a year and a half; these had been attributed to cardiac arrhythmia, acid reflux, and possible links with his myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). In late November after a GP visit, Luke was referred to a neurologist who ultimately confirmed that Luke’s episodes were in fact partial seizures caused by the tumour.
As many others have unfortunately experienced, the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced additional stress and complication to an already very challenging time for our family. After receiving the diagnosis, Luke was unfortunately kept in the dark for 5 weeks. There was no appointment or follow-up in sight. Pre-pandemic times, patients such as Luke who opted for brain surgery would have received it within a couple weeks of diagnosis via NHS.
Now, with the restrictions currently in place, waiting time for surgery is 4 months, at minimum. With each additional day that passes, the risk of the tumour growing and becoming more aggressive increases. We find ourselves in a situation that threatens to prevent Luke from receiving the care that he needs. As a result, we have decided to pursue private options.
Although Luke’s tumour is ultimately not curable, our highest priority is to have as much of the tumour resected as possible, as quickly as possible. Though Luke and Emma do have private health insurance, their claim has been rejected. Despite the fact that Luke’s insurance company committed to cover any non-heart related conditions, they are adamant about rejecting the claim on the basis that the brain tumour is a pre-existing condition. Medical professionals have provided documentation to support Luke and Emma’s case to no avail. We continue to appeal this decision.
In the meantime, Luke will undergo surgery on March the 6th. We will need to personally fund the cost for the operations and associated procedures. This will be in the ballpark of £30k.
Luke and Emma are very fortunate to have had many friends and acquaintances voice their desire to provide support during this time. This page is intended to provide an opportunity for people to contribute financially to Luke’s illness-related costs. We are immensely grateful for any contributions, no matter how small.
Feel free to also join the support group we’ve created on Facebook. This will be a place for regular updates and an opportunity to share messages with Luke. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1309407526096222/?ref=share
Please also feel free to share this GoFundMe, but please refrain from tagging Luke or contacting him directly at this time.
We press on with faith for a positive outcome and are uplifted by the encouragement, prayers, and love we have received. Thank you!
Luke had been experiencing multiple fainting episodes each day for over a year and a half; these had been attributed to cardiac arrhythmia, acid reflux, and possible links with his myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). In late November after a GP visit, Luke was referred to a neurologist who ultimately confirmed that Luke’s episodes were in fact partial seizures caused by the tumour.
As many others have unfortunately experienced, the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced additional stress and complication to an already very challenging time for our family. After receiving the diagnosis, Luke was unfortunately kept in the dark for 5 weeks. There was no appointment or follow-up in sight. Pre-pandemic times, patients such as Luke who opted for brain surgery would have received it within a couple weeks of diagnosis via NHS.
Now, with the restrictions currently in place, waiting time for surgery is 4 months, at minimum. With each additional day that passes, the risk of the tumour growing and becoming more aggressive increases. We find ourselves in a situation that threatens to prevent Luke from receiving the care that he needs. As a result, we have decided to pursue private options.
Although Luke’s tumour is ultimately not curable, our highest priority is to have as much of the tumour resected as possible, as quickly as possible. Though Luke and Emma do have private health insurance, their claim has been rejected. Despite the fact that Luke’s insurance company committed to cover any non-heart related conditions, they are adamant about rejecting the claim on the basis that the brain tumour is a pre-existing condition. Medical professionals have provided documentation to support Luke and Emma’s case to no avail. We continue to appeal this decision.
In the meantime, Luke will undergo surgery on March the 6th. We will need to personally fund the cost for the operations and associated procedures. This will be in the ballpark of £30k.
Luke and Emma are very fortunate to have had many friends and acquaintances voice their desire to provide support during this time. This page is intended to provide an opportunity for people to contribute financially to Luke’s illness-related costs. We are immensely grateful for any contributions, no matter how small.
Feel free to also join the support group we’ve created on Facebook. This will be a place for regular updates and an opportunity to share messages with Luke. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1309407526096222/?ref=share
Please also feel free to share this GoFundMe, but please refrain from tagging Luke or contacting him directly at this time.
We press on with faith for a positive outcome and are uplifted by the encouragement, prayers, and love we have received. Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Alex DiGiacomo
Organizer
England
Emma Watkins
Beneficiary