In loving memory of Bethan Durkin

Bethan's story: 


My daughter Bethan is 33 years old and the mother of 2 perfect little girls. Her eldest is Rhiannon, aged 6  and her youngest is 1 and she is called Olivia. During the pregnancy it was discovered that Olivia had a major heart condition - Truncus Arteriosus - the heart was missing a valve and she was going to need major heart surgery. Upon being born she was given a less than 40% survival rate. Olivia was later diagnosed with DiGeorge Syndrome. We were informed that DiGeorge syndrome is often passed down through the family and Bethan and Rhiannon were both also diagnosed with DiGeorge Syndrome. At 9 days old Olivia underwent major heart surgery that lasted 12 hours. She suffered 2 cardiac arrests on the operating table and 3 months in intensive care on a ventilator. Beth sat by Olivia for 3 months in hospital in Bristol, staying an hour away from her husband and oldest daughter over Christmas. But we are very grateful to have Olivia alive and well with us this Christmas. 

But out celebrations didn't last long. Shortly after returning home from hospital Bethan started complaining of pain in her hip. My daughter Bethan - a mum of 2 - was diagnosed with secondary bone cancer. Further scans revealed that the primary cancer was in Bethan's lungs. 

Bethan has been receiving chemotherapy and immunotherapy via the NHS. But the NHS were unable to find any markers so that Bethan could received a better form of targeted therapy. Research has revealed that the NHS often only search for markers specific to the treatment that is available within the NHS. But there are so many more markers we can search that can reveal further treatment in other Britain and in other countries. We are now raising money so that we can access that treatment and give Bethan the best chance of surviving this devastating illness. 

Please hear our story, and donate anything you can. Bethan and her family would like to thank you for taking the time to read her story.