Hi all, as you might already know I was diagnosed with stage 3 papillary renal (kidney) cell carcinoma in May 2022. I received a radical nephrectomy (removal of kidney) soon after and then was placed on a year long clinical trial of two immunotherapy drugs. Two years later it is now clear that this was not a success and the cancer has made an appearance in my lungs. As the tumours are small and slow growing, the NHS in it's infinite wisdom (e.g. lack of viable options) has decided on a 'watch and wait' approach. This does not sit well with me and I don't feel like I can spend a further 6 months until my next scan twiddling my thumbs and sitting passively when I could be taking the initiative on seeing what else is available.

I love the NHS and all it stands for; I want it properly funded and I want cancer treatment to be improved and available to all for free! Sadly, I do not think this will happen in my lifetime and I am asking for support from friends to help me raise money to get additional treatment provided overseas. The personalised cancer vaccines that are being developed in Germany could be a life saving option for me if I can find the money, currently estimated to be £21,500.

I find it cringe having to go online and ask people for help - mainly because it feels like an admission of my lack of future planning around my health and finances! All I can say is that I didn't expect to get cancer at my age and now I have it I really want to live and do better in looking after myself. I feel like I have been presented with the time and the opportunity to develop a more personalised and individual approach to treating my cancer using cutting edge technology that the NHS is only just looking into developing in the UK.

CAN YOU HELP ME??