Heartfelt request to fund life-extending breast cancer drug

Dear Family, Friends and Kind Souls,

Writing this letter is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but I’m reaching out with a heart full of hope and gratitude.

As many of you know, I’ve been battling breast cancer for the last 10 years. In fact, my first diagnosis came immediately after my son Tom’s wedding in 2014. I knew something was wrong and I scheduled the appointment for after the celebration – I didn’t want anything to spoil the occasion. Sadly, it was the news I was fearing most, and since that moment, I’ve faced three major bouts of breast cancer, I’ve had a mastectomy, many rounds of chemo and radiotherapy, countless tests and procedures, and experienced unimaginable pain at times.

Fast forward to today and I’m now staring down my biggest and scariest challenge yet. When the tumours returned in the autumn of 2023, I had them surgically removed, but sadly, the cancer finally metastasised, and has since impacted my lungs, kidneys and gut.

I now have Stage 4 cancer and for the last year, I’ve been on two different forms of palliative chemo drugs, which are buying me more time. The first one didn’t do much for me, whilst the second one has had more of an impact; however, it has now lost its efficacy. This is what has compelled me to humbly ask for your help – my situation is becoming critical and more than one person can bear alone. This is why I’m choosing to ask my network of wonderful friends, colleagues, neighbours, acquaintances and extended family for help.

The truth is, I’m not ready to die and I want to keep fighting this disease. I want to spend more time with my husband Nick, boys Tom, Miles and Sam, daughters-in-law Ari, Emily and George, and my seven grandchildren Rex, Ottilie, Sadie, Alfie, Huey, Stevie-Rae and Sonny, who are my world.

My consultant, a leading oncologist, has informed us of a new and pioneering drug called Enhertu-low. It might not cure me, but they believe it’s the best option to give me significantly more quality time on this earth.

Here’s the issue – it’s not available through NHS England. They’ve been through two rounds of negotiations, and it’s been rejected on both occasions due to price. The breast cancer charities don’t believe it will be rubber stamped any time soon.

In a rather horrible twist of irony and injustice, Enhertu-low is available through NHS Scotland, so I am exploring this as a very realistic alternative. This will involve moving to Scotland and, therefore, switching all my care, including my GP, into the Scottish system. This will have an enormous impact on my life for different reasons, but it is the reality of the situation.

Right now, I no longer have the time to wait around. The way to acquire this drug in England is through the private system.

Unfortunately, this comes with a daunting financial burden, and this is why I’m humbly asking for your help. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will go directly toward making this life-extending treatment possible for me. Any surplus funds collected that don’t go towards my care, will be donated to the charity Breast Cancer Now.

If, of course, I am successful in the Scottish transfer, and every possible effort will be expended to make this happen, the need to crowd fund will then no longer be a requirement. Until that moment, I need to get onto Enhertu-low treatment asap here in England.

I know times are tough for many, and even if you’re unable to contribute financially, any support or insight about how to best navigate the opaque pharmaceutical system, sharing my GoFundMe page to your personal and professional networks, or signing this petition to make Enhertu-low available on the NHS, would be hugely appreciated.

https://breastcancernow.org/get-involved/campaign-with-us/enhertu-emergency/

I’m deeply thankful for each and every show of support. Your kindness and generosity gives me strength every day.

With all my love and gratitude,

Beverley