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Beth's Army
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£28,381 raised of £120K
911 donations
An army has been gathering since May 2021 to help Beth Walsh (see updates on this page).
This is ‘Beth’s Army’. We would love you to join Beth’s Army and help us with our mission! as now (in the words of the Chemical Brothers, one of her favourite festival acts) is the time for the army to GALVANISE into action ………
The Story so far …
What can we tell you about Beth?
Well, she is a much-loved daughter, wife, niece, sister and friend, and is a wonderful mum to her son. Aged 49, Beth has achieved a lot in her life and has plans to achieve a lot more.
She is a huge supporter of the arts and is founder-director of the successful theatre workshop, Worcester Theatremakers (http://www.worcestertheatremakers.co.uk). As well as being a qualified holistic therapist, she has worked as Area Manager for national charity - Young Enterprise - delivering financial and employability programmes. She has a great deal of prior hands-on experience in the care and charity sectors, where her clients included both adults and children impacted by a range of social problems, learning difficulties, and physical and mental health issues.
Beth is a massive music fan and sings with local band ‘Low Red Moon’ (Low Red Moon) – whose first single is now released on Spotify as well as other music platforms (with debut album to follow!).
She is a vibrant person and loving parent, a treasured family member and friend, and a capable and confident woman with a strong social conscience and desire to contribute to the greater good of the community – whilst living life to the full!
Cancer Diagnosis
However, Beth’s life was turned upside down when she received the diagnosis that she has ‘liver-dominant metastatic ocular melanoma’: secondary liver cancer arising from a very rare form of primary cancer of the eye called ocular melanoma (OM). There are only 5-6 cases of OM per year per million people, with 45% of these patients developing secondary liver cancer over the ensuing 15 years. Beth’s left eye was removed in 2019 shortly after her OM diagnosis, and liver cancer was diagnosed in 2020.
Her type of cancer means that there are only two kinds of possible treatment. Beth underwent several rounds of immunotherapy, the only treatment available on the NHS, but her oncologist discontinued it last year - in addition to having severe side-effects, it ultimately did not work. Having previously had stability of her liver metastases, these have increased in size and her cancer has progressed.
On the plus side, however, her metastases overall remain of low volume, and she is asymptomatic.
She has been incredibly brave throughout and shown a Jedi like force (yes, she is a nerd) in adapting to this life-changing experience by being as positive, well-informed and as realistic as she can (‘Do not go gentle into that dark night…').
Treatment … Chemosaturation (also known as Delcath)
Hope comes in the shape of ‘chemosaturation’ (https://www.chemosaturation.co.uk), the only other possible treatment for Beth’s condition.
This clever treatment was approved by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in April 2021 on the basis of its proven track record as a safe and efficacious treatment in terms of overall and symptom-free survival.
Preliminary data from worldwide trials show that it certainly has higher response rates than the alternative of single-agent immunotherapy, with improved duration of control of metastatic disease.
Basically, it is a way of treating liver metastases by delivering chemotherapy specifically to the liver – which therefore reduces side-effects and means the liver can be ‘saturated’ with the relevant drugs (Delcath diagram).
Delcath offers a triple-whammy plus!
§ It is minimally invasive.
§ It has an 80% response rate – tumours can cease to grow, reduce, or disappear completely.
§ Patients’ lives can be extended symptom-free by several years.
….. and outcomes continue to improve.
A maximum of four rounds of treatment is recommended, with patient response assessed after the second. For patients who respond well to these four rounds, there is always the potential for future re-treatment if the disease progresses after a period of control.
Results of Beth’s latest scans have shown that she is a suitable candidate for Delcath, and her oncologists have advised that for the best possible outcome, chemo-saturation treatment should commence without delay! The most recent update can be seen here: Sachin Modi on Twitter
Funding
Although NICE approved, the process to determine NHS commissioning of Delcath is still a work in progress, with the final data for analysis likely to be unavailable until the end of this year.
So, with recruitment to NHS clinical trials now closed, Delcath is currently only available privately. It is inaccessible to Beth – and all patients in her situation – through the NHS.
Given Beth’s situation, we cannot wait until NHS funding is allocated to providing this treatment.
Our Mission
Beth has been referred to the specialist team at Spire Southampton, the centre which has carried out more of these treatments than anywhere else in the world.
Delcath is endorsed by eminent oncologists and has proven success in treating this kind of cancer.
You can’t but be impressed by the logical thinking and technique underlying this procedure, the constantly improving expertise of the specialists performing it, and the statistics demonstrating its benefits.
We are therefore not going on a wing and a prayer here (though it cannot be denied that prayers are always a help!). This treatment CAN make a difference. It can turn months into years, and we dearly want Beth to live!
Beth requires four rounds of treatment carried out at 6-8 weekly intervals with each round costing £40,000. In total, the costs for this treatment will be £160,000.
Beth’s family and friends have worked tirelessly to cover the cost of her first treatment which took place successfully on 29 March 2022 (please see Beth's message in 'Updates' on 4 April)! The second cycle has also been completed in May 2022 which again, Beth's family have made happen with the help of all the lovely team members and donors so far.
As a maximum of four cycles of treatment is recommended, and the response to treatment so far has been positive, Beth has been given the go-ahead for her third one to take place on August 22nd. Given a continued positive response, there is always the potential for future re-treatment if the disease progresses after a period of control.
Still working tirelessly, Beth's family turned to The H&T Clients Charitable Trust Cancer Fund for help - and they (and we!) are extremely grateful to the Trustees for agreeing to fund the balance of Beth’s third Delcath! This is on condition that, going forward, funds are raised for their Cancer Fund to help cover the cost of any future treatment needed by Beth and other patients who apply to the Fund. There is a new fundraising link going forward at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bethsarmy. Time for me to 'hand over the baton' and I cannot tell you how grateful I am to all team members, fundraisers and donors to this page.
Going forward please share the (JGLink ) to others, please know that you will be making a difference and your contribution is much, much appreciated.
With your help so far, together we have achieved so much so THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please also follow us on Facebook to get regular progress updates (and if you feel inspired and have an event idea contact us via):
BethsArmyFB
The Last Word goes to Beth
The following article and WhatsApp post shed a light on Beth’s approach and philosophy of life:
Newspaper Article
Beth’s post on the ‘Beth’s Army’ WhatsApp thread prior to her first immunotherapy treatment in 2020:
"I really believe in the power of conscious intention and the ability of the mind to heal the body, and I keep myself calm by meditating and visualisation.
If you're willing to pray/ send good vibes / reiki or whatever you believe in, please will you send me a message?
It's all getting close now and a bit real, and I'm scared.
Thanks each and every one of you for being here for me. …"
Thanks for listening.
Beth's Army #bethsarmy #ocularmelanomawarrior
x
This is ‘Beth’s Army’. We would love you to join Beth’s Army and help us with our mission! as now (in the words of the Chemical Brothers, one of her favourite festival acts) is the time for the army to GALVANISE into action ………
The Story so far …
What can we tell you about Beth?
Well, she is a much-loved daughter, wife, niece, sister and friend, and is a wonderful mum to her son. Aged 49, Beth has achieved a lot in her life and has plans to achieve a lot more.
She is a huge supporter of the arts and is founder-director of the successful theatre workshop, Worcester Theatremakers (http://www.worcestertheatremakers.co.uk). As well as being a qualified holistic therapist, she has worked as Area Manager for national charity - Young Enterprise - delivering financial and employability programmes. She has a great deal of prior hands-on experience in the care and charity sectors, where her clients included both adults and children impacted by a range of social problems, learning difficulties, and physical and mental health issues.
Beth is a massive music fan and sings with local band ‘Low Red Moon’ (Low Red Moon) – whose first single is now released on Spotify as well as other music platforms (with debut album to follow!).
She is a vibrant person and loving parent, a treasured family member and friend, and a capable and confident woman with a strong social conscience and desire to contribute to the greater good of the community – whilst living life to the full!
Cancer Diagnosis
However, Beth’s life was turned upside down when she received the diagnosis that she has ‘liver-dominant metastatic ocular melanoma’: secondary liver cancer arising from a very rare form of primary cancer of the eye called ocular melanoma (OM). There are only 5-6 cases of OM per year per million people, with 45% of these patients developing secondary liver cancer over the ensuing 15 years. Beth’s left eye was removed in 2019 shortly after her OM diagnosis, and liver cancer was diagnosed in 2020.
Her type of cancer means that there are only two kinds of possible treatment. Beth underwent several rounds of immunotherapy, the only treatment available on the NHS, but her oncologist discontinued it last year - in addition to having severe side-effects, it ultimately did not work. Having previously had stability of her liver metastases, these have increased in size and her cancer has progressed.
On the plus side, however, her metastases overall remain of low volume, and she is asymptomatic.
She has been incredibly brave throughout and shown a Jedi like force (yes, she is a nerd) in adapting to this life-changing experience by being as positive, well-informed and as realistic as she can (‘Do not go gentle into that dark night…').
Treatment … Chemosaturation (also known as Delcath)
Hope comes in the shape of ‘chemosaturation’ (https://www.chemosaturation.co.uk), the only other possible treatment for Beth’s condition.
This clever treatment was approved by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in April 2021 on the basis of its proven track record as a safe and efficacious treatment in terms of overall and symptom-free survival.
Preliminary data from worldwide trials show that it certainly has higher response rates than the alternative of single-agent immunotherapy, with improved duration of control of metastatic disease.
Basically, it is a way of treating liver metastases by delivering chemotherapy specifically to the liver – which therefore reduces side-effects and means the liver can be ‘saturated’ with the relevant drugs (Delcath diagram).
Delcath offers a triple-whammy plus!
§ It is minimally invasive.
§ It has an 80% response rate – tumours can cease to grow, reduce, or disappear completely.
§ Patients’ lives can be extended symptom-free by several years.
….. and outcomes continue to improve.
A maximum of four rounds of treatment is recommended, with patient response assessed after the second. For patients who respond well to these four rounds, there is always the potential for future re-treatment if the disease progresses after a period of control.
Results of Beth’s latest scans have shown that she is a suitable candidate for Delcath, and her oncologists have advised that for the best possible outcome, chemo-saturation treatment should commence without delay! The most recent update can be seen here: Sachin Modi on Twitter
Funding
Although NICE approved, the process to determine NHS commissioning of Delcath is still a work in progress, with the final data for analysis likely to be unavailable until the end of this year.
So, with recruitment to NHS clinical trials now closed, Delcath is currently only available privately. It is inaccessible to Beth – and all patients in her situation – through the NHS.
Given Beth’s situation, we cannot wait until NHS funding is allocated to providing this treatment.
Our Mission
Beth has been referred to the specialist team at Spire Southampton, the centre which has carried out more of these treatments than anywhere else in the world.
Delcath is endorsed by eminent oncologists and has proven success in treating this kind of cancer.
You can’t but be impressed by the logical thinking and technique underlying this procedure, the constantly improving expertise of the specialists performing it, and the statistics demonstrating its benefits.
We are therefore not going on a wing and a prayer here (though it cannot be denied that prayers are always a help!). This treatment CAN make a difference. It can turn months into years, and we dearly want Beth to live!
Beth requires four rounds of treatment carried out at 6-8 weekly intervals with each round costing £40,000. In total, the costs for this treatment will be £160,000.
Beth’s family and friends have worked tirelessly to cover the cost of her first treatment which took place successfully on 29 March 2022 (please see Beth's message in 'Updates' on 4 April)! The second cycle has also been completed in May 2022 which again, Beth's family have made happen with the help of all the lovely team members and donors so far.
As a maximum of four cycles of treatment is recommended, and the response to treatment so far has been positive, Beth has been given the go-ahead for her third one to take place on August 22nd. Given a continued positive response, there is always the potential for future re-treatment if the disease progresses after a period of control.
Still working tirelessly, Beth's family turned to The H&T Clients Charitable Trust Cancer Fund for help - and they (and we!) are extremely grateful to the Trustees for agreeing to fund the balance of Beth’s third Delcath! This is on condition that, going forward, funds are raised for their Cancer Fund to help cover the cost of any future treatment needed by Beth and other patients who apply to the Fund. There is a new fundraising link going forward at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bethsarmy. Time for me to 'hand over the baton' and I cannot tell you how grateful I am to all team members, fundraisers and donors to this page.
Going forward please share the (JGLink ) to others, please know that you will be making a difference and your contribution is much, much appreciated.
With your help so far, together we have achieved so much so THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please also follow us on Facebook to get regular progress updates (and if you feel inspired and have an event idea contact us via):
BethsArmyFB
The Last Word goes to Beth
The following article and WhatsApp post shed a light on Beth’s approach and philosophy of life:
Newspaper Article
Beth’s post on the ‘Beth’s Army’ WhatsApp thread prior to her first immunotherapy treatment in 2020:
"I really believe in the power of conscious intention and the ability of the mind to heal the body, and I keep myself calm by meditating and visualisation.
If you're willing to pray/ send good vibes / reiki or whatever you believe in, please will you send me a message?
It's all getting close now and a bit real, and I'm scared.
Thanks each and every one of you for being here for me. …"
Thanks for listening.
Beth's Army #bethsarmy #ocularmelanomawarrior
x
Co-organizers28
BETH WALSH
Beneficiary