Please help Antoinette Carr with Lifelong Dream

My dearest friend Antoinette was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, an incurable form of blood cancer in February 2012.

Over the past ten years, Antoinette has had eight different chemotherapy treatments and an autologous stem cell transplant (using her own cells) which have all been unsuccessful.

Just a week into the COVID19 pandemic, the cancer cells had spread into Antoinette’s spine, weakening it and this caused thirteen separate spinal fractures and collapsed vertebrae.

Antoinette had surgery on her spine to try to repair and reinforce the fractures as much as possible; but whilst the operation was moderately successful - she has unfortunately lost almost three inches in height and left her with kyphotic deformity (curved spine) which is visible and causes her terrible physical and emotional pain daily.

Doctors have informed Antoinette that her Myeloma has become evermore challenging to treat and that they were running out of options. Antoinette and her family were completely devastated and Antoinette had been transferred to palliative care, but even then she refused to accept that this could be the end.

Because all standard treatment options have now been exhausted, Antoinette was fortunate enough to be accepted into a clinical trial for a new experimental drug since November 2021. She has been responding well to the treatment so far, but the trial has been extremely tough on her, due to the many side effects associated with this treatment and the mental toll on Antoinette at times has been high - and in moments of despair, she clings to the hope of seeing her children grow up and is motivated to keep fighting despite the overwhelming odds, physical, mental and financial hardships against her.

Further chemotherapy treatments can only hope to potentially offer Antoinette more time by slowing the progress of her cancer down, because as of yet - there is currently no cure for Multiple Myeloma.

The treatment that would most likely give Antoinette the most time with her children, husband and extended family - would be to undergo a donor related stem cell transplant.

Unfortunately a match has yet to be found for Antoinette, but being the amazing human my friend is she still remains hopeful even after all that she has been through.

Even though Antoinette and her family have been through an extremely tough time as a family, Antoinette still tries to focus on the positives in her life and believes that this has helped her remain hopeful during her difficult ongoing long battle with cancer.

Antoinette will be fifty in March 2023 and I know that being able to celebrate this milestone birthday in Jamaica with her Husband and two beautiful children far away from the hospitals, clinics and test centres that she spends so much time in, would lift their spirits up immeasurably and create unforgettable memories for the entire family that they will all cherish. 

Although Antoinette’s future is determined by the results of her monthly blood tests, she is still determined to live the life that she has in full - unapologetically and with dignity.

It would be truly amazing if we could collectively help to make her fiftieth birthday truly memorable by donating to this Go Fund Me page that I have created for her, so that we can send her and her family to Jamaica for a truly special experience for them all.

If you cannot donate financially to Antoinette’s Go Fund Me cause, I totally understand - but please consider signing up to the stem cell register or donate blood (ACLT charity) as you could help prolong and increase the quality of life for many other cancer patients.

This could be the best gift you could ever give, and I know that this will undoubtedly mean a lot to Antoinette.

Thank you xxx

Antoinette’s linktree