Gary's Cancer Journey

Can you help Gary Wilkes?

We are reaching out to ask for your support for 57 years old Gary Wilkes, a much-loved family man, friend and colleague.

In 2021 Gary was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer in his bones. Whilst not a curable cancer, it was treatable, and in 2022 Gary received a stem cell transplant which should have given him 3-5 years of remission. However, in in the Summer of 2024 Gary began to feel unwell and found out that several tumours had developed outside his bones. He got up one Monday morning feeling that his legs were unstable. He went straight to hospital where it was determined that a tumour was crushing his spinal cord. Despite being rushed to Weston Park hospital for urgent treatment, the damage could not be reversed and within 24 hours of walking into hospital, Gary received the devastating and life changing news that he would never walk again. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy with a further stem cell transplant planned in the New Year if he is well enough. He remains in hospital whilst undergoing treatment and waiting for the vital and necessary alterations to be made which will allow him to return home.

Gary and his wife Jackie work together as window cleaners, a profession Gary now cannot return to. Gary is a dedicated trainer with North Derbyshire Dog Agility Club. He is, and has been a teacher, mentor and friend to many in the dog agility world, giving his time selflessly to help others.

Gary now faces many challenges but what he wishes for is to be able to attend the agility training, doing what he loves most. To have some independence and mobility, Gary requires an off-road motorised wheelchair. The waiting time on the NHS is up to 18 months, possibly longer. Sadly, Gary simply cannot plan that far ahead.

We are setting up this fundraiser to raise the funds to buy such a wheelchair as well as providing some relief to Gary’s family in making the urgent and necessary changes to his home. Any contribution, big or small will make such a difference and will afford Gary the chance to return to what he loves doing.

Thankyou for taking the time to read Gary’s story and thankyou for your support. Please share this campaign with others so together we can help him achieve his goal.