My name is Lesley. I'm 33 years old. In October 2025, I was diagnosed with grade 3 aggressive invasive breast cancer. after my GP missed my referral by almost 5 months due to an administrative error. By the time I was finally diagnosed, my cancer had already spread to my lymph nodes.

Since then, I have had five cycles of chemo and following by two surgeries. Both failed to clear my margins. I am now waiting for my third surgery, a bilateral mastectomy. After that, radiotherapy. Then two years of daily oral chemotherapy. Then up to ten years of monthly hormone injections.

My wedding is on hold.

My career is on hold.

My life is on hold.

And yet every single day, I get up and go to work. 9-6. Because I have no choice. I have no insurance. I have no safety net. I am doing this completely alone, in a country that is not my home, away from my family, while fighting one of the hardest battles of my life.

I have been researching every possible option to give myself the best chance of survival. I need every weapon available to me.

One of those weapons is Proton Therapy — a precise form of radiotherapy that targets cancer with pinpoint accuracy, significantly reducing long-term damage to the heart and lungs. But it costs between £30,000 and £60,000 and is not covered by NHS for my situation.

I am also asking for help to cover 6 months of living expenses (£12,000) so I can take the time off work I have never been able to take — to rest, to recover properly, to be present in my own treatment, and to fly home to see my family.

I am fighting for my wedding day. I am fighting for my career. I am fighting for the life my partner and I planned together. I am fighting to be here in 10 years, in 20 years, in 50 years.

I am not asking for a miracle. I am asking for a chance.

Every pound you contribute goes directly towards proton therapy to protect my long-term health, and living expenses so I can stop working and focus on surviving.

I have spent the last seven months being the bravest version of myself that I know how to be. Researching every clinical trial, challenging every medical decision, advocating for myself at every turn. But I cannot do this alone anymore.

If you can give anything — even just £5 — it means more than words can say. And if you cannot give, sharing this post costs nothing and could change everything.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring.

With all my love and gratitude,

Lesley