<div>Katie’s Story
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<div>Our daughter Katie is facing something no one should ever have to face, especially at just 27 years of age.
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<div>In May 2021, what started as a few worrying symptoms turned into a life-changing diagnosis: a high-grade brain tumour (Glioblastoma).
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<div>Instead of building her future with her partner Lewis, Katie was suddenly thrown into brain surgery, cancer treatment, and an uncertain road ahead.
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<div>If you know Katie, you’ll know she’s the kind of person who lights up a room, enjoys the simplest things in life, she is kind, funny, and always thinking of others before herself. That hasn’t changed, even now.
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<div>What Katie Has Already Been Through
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<div>In July 2021, Katie underwent a major awake brain surgery, where doctors were able to remove around 70% of the tumour.
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<div>She then went through:
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<div>Radiotherapy: [standard of care]
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<div>Chemotherapy: [Temozolomide (TMZ)]
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<div>Her tumour was tested for:
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<div>MGMT status: [unmethylated]
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<div>IDH status: [wildtype]
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<div>Then something remarkable happened.
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<div>For nearly four years, Katie’s scans remained stable.
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<div>Four years of being able to live, laugh, and make memories. Four years where we had hope.
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<div>Where We Are Now
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<div>In May 2025, the tumour returned.
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<div>Katie underwent further surgery in June 2025 followed by:
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<div>Additionaltreatment:Temozolomide (TMZ) and PCV chemotherapy.
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<div>Despite everything she has endured, recent scans in January 2026 show the tumour is continuing to grow. She has recently been treated with more radiotherapy and she is waiting for a follow up MRI scan on the 25th May.
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<div>Her medical team has told us that standard treatment options are now extremely limited.
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<div>Katie has also been assessed for clinical trials:
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<div>Eligibility: She is currently not eligible for any open clinical trials.
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<div>This is the point no family ever wants to reach.
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<div>Why We Are Asking for Help
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<div>The NHS has been incredible, and we are so grateful for everything they’ve done.
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<div>But right now, we are running out of options.
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<div>After extensive research and discussions with specialists, we have identified a potential immunotherapy treatment, which is not available in the UK that could give Katie another chance.
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<div>The Treatment Giving Us Hope
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<div>Katie has been in contact with the IOZK clinic in Cologne, Germany: under Stefaan Van Gool.
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<div>She has been accepted for a personalised multi model immunotherapy programme.
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<div>This treatment is tailored specifically to her tumour and immune system, and may include:
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<div>Personalised cancer vaccine (created from her own cells)
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<div>Immunotherapy (including Tecentriq)
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<div>Virus therapy and supportive treatments
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<div>Advanced testing to guide treatment
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<div>This is not available on the NHS.
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<div>It is not a guaranteed cure.
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<div>But it offers something we don’t currently have in the UK — a real possibility of slowing the tumour and giving Katie more time.
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<div>The initial fund raising target was set at £75,000 The cost of treatment alone over the three initial visits over 3 months came in at £63,000. This does not include travel, accommodation, care, or other essential expenses involved in receiving treatment in Germany.
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<div>The first three months of treatment include:
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<div>Liquid Biopsy-a non-invasive diagnostic test in which a sample of a body fluid—most commonly blood—is analysed to detect disease-related material, especially cancer cells, identifying their genetic mutations to guide targeted therapy, monitoring response to treatment and identifying resistance mutations.
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<div>Comprehensive oncological diagnostics – detailed testing and ongoing monitoring of the brain tumour to assess its progression and guide treatment
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<div>Dendritic cell therapy – a personalised immunotherapy that trains the body's own immune cells to recognise and attack the tumour.
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<div>Oncolytic virotherapy combined with loco-regional radiofrequency hyperthermia – specially designed viruses are used to target cancer cells, while controlled heat therapy helps enhance the treatment's effectiveness and stimulate the immune system.
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<div>Tecentriq (atezolizumab) – an immunotherapy drug that helps the immune system identify and fight cancer cells.
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<div>Since returning from our first trip to Germany, we've learned that this is not a one-off treatment. If the treatment is successful and future scans remain stable—or, even better, show improvement—she will need to return to Germany regularly for ongoing maintenance treatment, monitoring, and consultations.
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<div>This means the costs extend far beyond the initial treatment, with repeated travel, accommodation, and follow-up care becoming essential parts of her treatment plan.
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<div>For that reason, we have made the difficult decision to increase our fundraising target from £75,000 to £150,000. This gives us the best chance of funding not only the initial treatment but also the ongoing care needed to give this treatment every opportunity to succeed.
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<div>Thank you again for everyone’s ongoing support x
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Katie was just 27 when diagnosed with brain cancer

Katie was just 27 when diagnosed with brain cancer

Still £57,349 to go. Help us build momentum.