I am Brooke, and I am 23 years old. I have been battling with cancer since I was 16 years old, and have been a patient at The Christie Hospital for 7 years.

I was diagnosed with Ependymoma in my spine in 2015 and have had several operations, courses of radiotherapy and various chemotherapy regimes to try to eradicate it. My initial therapies were successful however the tumours kept reoccurring and have now metastasised throughout my spine and more recently have spread to my brain.

After months of research and perseverance, I have been accepted to take part in a Phase 1 Car T Cell (Immunotherapy) Clinical Trial in Seattle, US. I was due to travel there 3 weeks ago for the initial cell harvesting, however my latest MRI revealed further progression in my spine which confirmed my recent onset of new back pain.

I am currently undergoing spinal radiotherapy at The Christie, and the trial has had to be postponed for now. The hospital in Seattle have confirmed however that I am able to still take part, after this treatment, which is just amazing.

Throughout my roller coaster journey I have had my ups and downs, but I really try to keep smiling, stay positive and remain focused. I take each day as it comes and live my life to the full, the best that I can.

Traveling to the US is quite expensive and I need to travel there a couple of times for the treatment. Firstly for the enrolment (for a week) and the initial  'apheresis' treatment, where they will remove a sample of my T cells. I then return back to the UK, whilst the T cells are altered in the laboratory to express chimeric antigen receptors CAR) and then I travel back again 4 weeks later, when I will have weekly infusions of my ‘reprogrammed’ Car T Cells direct into my brain. This part of the treatment means I need to stay in the US for a minimum 2 months, for daily check ups, physical tests and blood tests

I will therefore need to rent a house / apartment (or stay in a hotel)  with my parents each time I travel, possibly hire a car, and also to help pay for flights and the associated daily living expenses whilst we are there.

 

This trial is a fabulous opportunity for me, and is totally supported by my consultant and the fabulous team at The Christie, who believe that there is real benefit in my case and I am very fortunate to have been accepted as an overseas patient. Christies have told me that there is no standard treatment for me anymore in the UK, since my cancer is so rare, and Immunotherapy in the UK is not available for me. I have now exhausted all the chemotherapy regimes and this will be the last radiotherapy I can have to my spine.

Any kind donations to my fund will be very much appreciated to help and support me and my family with our living expenses and costs whilst we are living in Seattle.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and thank you to the many of you who have contributed so far. My family and I really appreciate it at this very difficult time.

Brooke x