Give James more time with his Family

James is 37, Husband to Wife Claire, and Daddy to their two amazing children Amelie 7, and Noah (almost) 3, he is completely devoted to his family. As their close friends we have set up this page to raise funds for James' ongoing treatment. 

During the height of Covid in 2020 James was diagnosed with bowel cancer. He underwent a huge operation to remove his entire colon and rectum (proctocolectomy), he was fitted with a permanent colostomy bag and treated with chemo-radiotherapy. They were told that the treatment was successful, but less than a year later the cancer was back. In his lungs, liver and lymph nodes. The family were given the devastating news that the cancer was incurable, but hopefully treatable. 

James has the mutated BRAF WILD gene which unfortunately makes his cancer extremely aggressive. He was put on intensive chemotherapy every two weeks for 3 months in the hope to slow the growth of the tumours. Sadly scans showed the treatment was unsuccessful and the tumours had continued to grow. 

James' amazing consultant found a new treatment to put him forward for, using the drug Avastin (bevacuzimab) alongside chemotherapy. This means 4 types of chemotherapy, every 2 weeks - the man is a superhero. This new treatment is unfortunately only partially funded by the NHS costing the family £450 per treatment, with a treatment required every 2 weeks for the foreseeable. 

In August 2022 the family were told that this new drug, together with the 3 other chemotherapies had finally stabilised the growth of the tumours ‘pulling the reins in’ on the cancer for the first time this year. Whilst this wasn’t quite as good a result as they were hoping for, it was finally some positive news. Going forward James will continue on this treatment whilst working closely with his consultant and both Addenbrookes & The Royal Marsden in the hopes that a suitable clinical trial will become available.  

We appreciate times are difficult for everyone in the current climate, but if you could spare just a few pounds to help support James’ ongoing treatment costs, we, and the family would be eternally grateful. 

In the words of the amazing late Dame Deborah James, 'Find a life worth enjoying, take risks, love deeply, have no regrets, and always, always have rebellious hope'.