Fundraiser for Dee's Treatment

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Fundraiser Update November 28th

Hi everyone,

We landed in Germany a week ago today (28th Nov). On our way, just as we were about to board our 2nd flight, we listened to two amazing friends talk to our local Radio station to help raise awareness, and about the fantastic fundraising events being planned at home for November and December. Straight away we were both in tears, we could feel the love, support and kindness from everyone back home helping carry us on our way.

Since arriving at the clinic it's been a lot to take in. Following pre check's, the doctors discovered an issue with Dee's heart which we hadn't known back home. That meant they needed to support Dee's heart before any new treatment could start. Thankfully Dee's heart condition has since improved, and Dee was able to have the first immunotherapy treatment last Thursday which we were so grateful for. The pre-treatment checks also showed Dee was highly positive for one of the therapeutic targets, which is really good news for the treatment.

Since arriving the oncologists have now given us a better view of the treatment plan, and have explained that the treatment type Dee is receiving needs to be given on a three to four week cycle, over several months. That means more costs for travel & treatment over the long term, and while we are working to see what potentially could be made available in Ireland, right now we can only get this type of Immunotherapy that Dee needs in Germany.

So we move forward, one step and learning each day as we go.

We really miss our family and friends, but knowing there is so many behind us, makes every step that little bit easier.

All our Love,

Dee & Derek

UPDATE November 2023 from Dee and Derek:

We wanted to provide an update since we setup the fundraiser on where we are on this journey.

Firstly to say that we were lost for words with the phenomenal response from so many people, between family, friends, colleagues and our wider community. Dee was overwhelmed by the level of response and outpouring of support, it was even difficult for her to see the scale of so many acts of generosity and messages of love and kindness, we were quite simply blown away.

While we had hoped to travel to the US in September, Dee had been experiencing health issues which meant she was not strong enough to travel and unfortunately ended up in hospital for almost a month. They discovered Dee’s key blood markers were below normal levels which resulted in the admission to hospital.

During her stay in hospital Dee had several blood tranfusions and radiotherapy. Her doctors have now started Dee on a new oral chemotherapy which, given the impact to her overall health, can only be taken for three months. Dee is also receiving regular blood transfusions once a week to keep her blood levels stable.

Our focus continues to be exploring new advanced treatments as quickly as possible, and one that is as close to family and home as possible. We have found an advanced cancer clinic in Germany that offers specliaized patient targeted treatment for rare forms of cancer. After speaking with the clinic’s team, there are new forms of testing and treatment for which they believe Dee is suitable and would work alongside her current treatment.

Unfortunately with so many leading and progressive types of cancer treatment, individual treatment programmes are very expensive and require staying in Germany for at least three weeks, as well as longer term return visits for ongoing monitoring and management.

Our plan is to travel to Germany in the coming weeks to carry out individual testing for Dee’s type of cancer, and from that get started on a new treatment programme as quickly as possible.

We therefor are hoping to build on the amazing support we have been so grateful to recieve so far and for everyone’s generosity. We are aiming to fundraise a total amount of €125,000 to cover the treatment in Germany.

There will also be fundraising events held in the coming weeks.

Thank you all so much again,

Love Dee and Derek

——————————————————August 2023

In October of last year, our lives were turned upside down when we received some very difficult news. Dee (44) is a mother to our 4 beautiful boys - Isaac, Adam, Hugo and Josh. Dee is an acupuncturist and nurse and has touched the lives of so many people she has helped and is adored by everyone that knows her. She is the centre universe of our family and the most beautiful person I’ve ever known.

Dee was diagnosed with a form of head and neck cancer in November last year, a type of cancer called Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. In our case, the cancer is of a rare gene mutation which affects roughly 4 in every 1 million people with this form of cancer.

Following lengthy scans and investigations to get a clear diagnosis, the doctors advised that Dee’s cancer had also spread to her bones.

Dee started chemotherapy in January of this year. So far she has gone through six months of chemotherapy and on the advice of her medical team, now needs to take a break to give her body a chance to recover.

Throughout this last year and while on this journey, Dee’s strength of character, positivity and resilience has been nothing short of amazing. Every day she shines and inspires her family and friends to live life to the full, and even during her own challenging times has continued to help people around her.

As the next step in her treatment and recovery, Dee is hoping to travel to the US in three weeks time to have treatment that is not available in Ireland.

Unfortunately that means very significant costs to travel, stay and have supportive treatment outside the country.

We have set up this fundraiser reluctantly but with loving encouragement of family and friends who reminded us that Dee has helped so many people, and knowing people want to in turn help her in any way they can.

We as a family thank you for all the love and support we have had, and continue to have along this journey.

edit for go fund me: Kate Fitzmaurice is a friend of Dee and Derek (the beneficiary) and all funds will be transferred directly to Derek.