Help me beat my brain tumour.
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Donna McManus, some of you know me by my maiden name, Cauwood. I am 39 years old. I am Mam to 2 beautiful children. Rebecca 19 and Joseph 15 and I am wife to my amazing husband Martin.
Around 8 years ago, after feeling unwell for quite some time, I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. I lived quite a normal life with it for several years keeping the symptoms at bay with medication daily.
2 years ago, after a routine annual scan, a 2nd tumor was discovered on my brain stem but this time it was malignant. It grew very fast and I quickly became quite ill with a lot of neurological problems. Over the course of the last 2 years, I have been hit with numerous health battles because of my illness, I have had a mini stroke, lost partial eyesight in my right eye, nerve problems, breathing difficulties, infections, mobility issues, memory loss and confusion, I could go on and on .... A lot of my problems could affect me for the rest of my life.
The location of the tumor means it can not be removed with surgery. I have so far had chemotherapy, radiotherapy and Gamma knife. A year ago I was told I was in remission. Then 6 months later at my check up, my world fell apart again. The cancer was back. This time, I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy and I have recently been told I am not responding to the treatment this time around.
My options are limited now but there is a glimmer of hope in the way of a new immunotherapy treatment. It costs a lot of money though and there lies my problem. I need 2800 euros per cycle, I am partway through my first cycle but it is yet unknown how many cycles I will need.
I am asking if you could find it in your heart to donate to the cost of my treatment. I and my family will be forever grateful for any help I receive in trying to beat this disease.
Any money raised that is above what is ultimately needed, I will donate to BrainsTrust who are an amazing organization giving help and support to people like me and their families and also fund vital research into brain tumours. Brain tumours kill more people under the age of 40 than any other cancer and yet only 1% of UK caner research funding is allocated to this disease.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and thank you in advance for any donations.
Love and thanks
Donna x
Organizer
Donna McManus
Organizer
Jacarilla, VC