Hi my name is Shanah and I'm a friend of Ruth's. Ruth's cancer journey has touched me deeply. 10 years ago Ruth was diagnosed and overcame breast cancer. Over the past year and a half Ruth has again been challenged, this time with a stage 4 diagnosis. I would love to be witness to the community and family that surrounds Ruth to continue to step up and support her in this phase of the cancer.

Ruth has had a long nursing career spanning over 20 years. Sadly she cannot continue her nursing.

The cancer Ruth is holding at bay is incurable and in her bones. However, the good news is, it's inactive and she's feeling well due to the alternative therapies as well as the NHS treatments being offered.

Ruth said " I am eternally grateful to my wonderful husband and my three boys 13, 14 and 16 who give my life love and meaning. It is the thought of them which continues to give me courage and the determination to carry on in the difficult moments. Also, I cannot begin to thank my wider family and friends who have shown their love and support by their company, positive thoughts and prayers providing the occasional meal and energy healings and in a myriad of other ways. A truly humbling experience for me."

Ruth has the potential to break the cycle and the prognosis of her cancer and live long and well. However this requires a community effort support her along the way.

At present Ruth endures NHS targeted treatment every 3 weeks. This is a big process and takes a lot of grit to keep on keeping on.

Alongside the NHS offerings Ruth is doing many alternative

therapies. Most of them costing an arm and a leg and we need your support in this. One of these is mistletoe therapy. For many years mistletoe has been well known as a cancer treatment in countries like Germany and Holland where it is often used alongside conventional cancer treatment. Clinical studies have shown promising results especially when treating breast cancer and she equates much of her current wellbeing to using this therapy. Ruth's oncologist fully supports this!

Ruth has been given the opportunity to go to a clinic in Aberdeen in January for an intensive course of mistletoe and as this is not funded by the NHS is hoping that this gofundme will go some way to paying for it.

3 x infusions of mistletoe with travel expenses is approx £1500

Ideally Ruth would like to to do this treatment 2 x a year ongoing.

In supporting Ruth I have come to the conclusion that we take it one day at a time, one treatment at a time and we will keep updating as we can.

It would be so so wonderful if you could share this gofundme as far and wide as possible. To contribute if you are able and together we can support Ruth with all that is needed to help her move forwards and live the best quality of life with all that challenges her!

Thanks for reading and please share with your contacts.

Shanah Rivers