Support My Dad Battling Cancer Against All Odds

My Father’s Journey with Mycosis Fungoides: A Fight for Life

My name is Ahmed Nagem, and today I come to you with a heart full of hope and determination to share my father’s story — the man who taught me what resilience and perseverance truly mean in the face of life’s hardest trials. This is a story that began years ago with pain and confusion, and it continues today as we fight against a rare and aggressive disease. But we still believe that hope is a light that never fades.

Years of Misdiagnosis and Silent Suffering

My father's journey began in 2011, when unusual symptoms appeared on his skin. At first, nothing was clear. Doctors initially assumed it was a simple skin condition — maybe psoriasis or eczema. The symptoms would come and go, flare up then ease, but never truly disappear. We didn’t know back then that these skin patches were just the tip of the iceberg, hiding something far more dangerous silently consuming his body.

For years, my father lived under the weight of this misdiagnosis. It wasn’t just a skin condition — it deeply affected his quality of life and ability to work. He worked in the bakery and pastry business — a job that demands clean hands and a presentable appearance. Although his condition is not contagious or dangerous to others, the sight of his hands and skin became a huge psychological burden. This also affected his social life; he withdrew from people, not out of choice, but because of shame and emotional pain from people’s stares or questions.

Life Struggles and the Burden of Illness

On top of his illness, my father carried the full responsibility of supporting us — his children. He worked tirelessly to ensure we had a decent education and a stable life, doing his best to shield us from the shadow of his health condition. His motivation was always our future.

To make matters worse, his workplace went through a financial crisis during those same years, delaying salaries and adding even more pressure. In such conditions, anyone’s mental state would collapse — let alone a man silently battling a mysterious illness while trying to provide for his family. Those years were a true test of his strength and patience.

The Moment of Truth: Mycosis Fungoides

In 2018, everything changed. During a routine inspection by government authorities at his workplace, my father was asked to undergo a full medical check-up to verify his fitness for the food sector. As difficult as it was, that moment became the turning point. The initial diagnosis confirmed the disease was not contagious, but raised suspicion of a malignant skin condition.

Due to the high cost of treatment in the country where he was living and working, the doctor advised returning to his home country, where medical expenses might be lower. After returning and undergoing a full series of tests, the diagnosis was confirmed: Mycosis Fungoides.

As we later learned, Mycosis Fungoides is not just a skin disease — it’s a rare form of blood cancer that first appears on the skin. It affects 1 in every 350,000 people, with only three cases per million reported annually in the U.S. It's often misdiagnosed as eczema or psoriasis, exactly as in my father’s case. The cause is still unknown.

Unfortunately, by then it was too late to catch it early. But the good news was that it hadn’t reached the most advanced stage — meaning there was still a real chance for treatment.

The Rollercoaster of Treatment: Hope and Relapse

My father began his treatment with radiation therapy — the first step in the plan. This continued for two years, but there was no major improvement. His skin appearance and condition remained largely unchanged. It was a long period of waiting and hoping without real results.

At that point, his doctor made a decisive move — to begin chemotherapy to target the cancer in his blood. And it worked. Within five months, we saw significant improvement. Hope returned. His health began to visibly recover. We thought we were finally past the nightmare.

But life threw another unexpected challenge. Eight months after finishing chemotherapy, the disease returned — more aggressive than before. Although the lymph node tumor had shrunk significantly, part of it remained, and the skin lesions came back with greater intensity.

A Critical Call for Help: Financial Breakdown

Now, after this setback, doctors have recommended another round of chemotherapy — this time with a stronger, more expensive type. My father’s condition is deteriorating rapidly, and he urgently needs this treatment.

I’ve done everything I could over the years to support him. I’ve worked hard, spent all I had. But now I’m facing costs far beyond what I can afford alone. We are trying to raise £100,000 to ensure my father receives the treatment and stability he needs during a recovery period that could last nearly two years.

To be transparent, here’s an approximate breakdown of the financial needs:

Advanced chemotherapy treatment: Each dose costs around £12,700 (based on SAR 60,000 per dose). He needs at least 6 doses — totaling around £76,200, including medication and medical supervision.

Regular tests and ongoing follow-ups: These include bloodwork, biopsies, and CT scans to monitor response and adjust treatment as needed. Estimated cost: £8,500.

Supportive medication and palliative care: Includes antibiotics, supplements, and meds to reduce side effects. Estimated cost: £4,200.

Housing and living expenses during treatment (2 years): A safe and clean living space is essential as his immune system weakens. Estimated cost: £6,400.

Special nutrition and daily care: Cancer patients require a tailored diet and sometimes assistance with basic care. Estimated cost: £2,100.

Travel and transportation: Includes local and possible international travel for consultations or unavailable treatments. Estimated cost: £2,100.

Total Estimated Cost: £99,500 — which is almost exactly the £100,000 we’re aiming to raise.

Every single contribution, no matter how small, makes a massive difference. I’m reaching out to you for help — to give my father a fighting chance to survive this illness and return to a normal life.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart,

Ahmed Nagem