Two weeks ago, my friend Victoria, received the devastating news that she has Lymphoma and needs to start chemotherapy immediately at the age of 31. Faced with this challenge she’s taken everything in her stride.

Until last week, when she went to her consultation regarding egg retrieval at the Royal Infirmary where she was told she could not have her egg retrieval and freezing funded by the NHS due to her weight but have told her she could pay privately, it can be done but that is not an option for her nor her family. The NHS website states that fertility consultations are an important part of cancer treatment so that the devestating news of cancer isn’t followed up by the shock of infertility. But it seems that doesn’t count if you’re over a certain weight.

Clearly with the urgent need to undergo chemotherapy, Victoria does not have time on her side to try and loose weight. With an intense chemotherapy programme ahead of her, her fertility is likely to severely deteriorate. I genuinely believe in a medical emergency there should be an exemption.

She does not currently have children, and at 31 she should have that choice in her future.

She has asked GP’s, consultants and nurses who have all said their hands are tied by government guidelines. She needs an urgent change to be able to get round this and if not just for her, but for all women who may face this in the future. However with chemotherapy getting closer every day we’ve decided to try and find her treatment privately. Cancer will change the course or her life but modern medicine is meant to be there to preserve her future chance of having children.

Please help by donating what you are able, no matter how small. And if you are unable to donate please write to your local MP and the health secretary for Scotland to petition for change.

UPDATE:

£5,000 will cover egg retrieval

£500 more will cover the first years of egg freezing of which payment is needed immediately

Any further funds will contribute to further years egg freezing and costs to use them in the future

Victoria has spoken to the hospital today and they have confirmed figures are higher than originally expected. We also hadn't accounted for fees charged by GoFundMe for a personal fundraiser. Due to all these other costs, our new target is £7,000.