Hi, I'm Nikki, and I am fundraising for my best friend Jo and her family.

On 23rd July 2019, our wonderful Jo was given the devastating news that she had stage 4 incurable lung cancer, specifically a rare mutation called ALK+.  Jo was only 34 years old at the time.

Since then, Jo has made the most of every single day with her beautiful family - husband Daniel whom she married during lockdown, Daughters Freya - who was just 6 months old when Jo received her diagnosis, and Dylann, the little miracle that Jo and Daniel believed was not possible because of Jo's treatment, who is now just 2 months old.

ALK+ is a type of cancer that can currently be controlled with medication for a while, but sadly it will always come back. This, unfortunately is the case for our wonderful Jo.

On 23rd July 2021 - exactly 2 years from her initial diagnosis, Jo received the terrible news that her cancer has progressed.  The drug she currently takes appears to be controlling the cancer for now, but sadly this will not always be the case and once the alectnib stops working she will be left with only one other treatment option.  This will be her final line of treatment and it it will likely not be long before she’s on it. 

Jo is only 36 years old.

Those of us who know Jo know just how wonderful she is. She is selfless and kind to a fault. She is so bubbly and happy and full of life.

In her situation, most people would give up or feel sorry for themselves, but Jo keeps going every day with a smile on her face, taking care of everyone around her, always offering her time, love and support to anyone who needs it.

Rather than feeling sorry for herself, she has become an advocate and educator to others about this awful, cruel disease, becoming involved with the Roy Castle Lung foundation where she is a patient advocate.
See a video Jo made with the Roy Castle foundation here

https://www.facebook.com/roycastlelungcancer/videos/1757904404416926 

Simply put - SHE IS AMAZING!

I have set up this fundraiser because I, along with so many other people, would like to be able to do a little something to help Jo and her family.

We would love to be able to support Jo, Daniel, Freya and Dylann going forward to have some fun together - to spend time enjoying themselves laughing and making wonderful memories as a family.

We would also love to be able to help give them some financial stability at a time where everything around them is so uncertain.

Nobody deserves this disease, but it feels especially cruel that it has attacked such a beautiful young family.

So, if you can spare a few pennies to support this wonderful woman and her family, then please do!! We would be so grateful for anything that you would like to give

Because of who Jo is, she only agreed to me setting up this page on the understanding that some of the proceeds will go to charity, so please know that by donating here, you aren't just helping out this beautiful young family, you are also supporting the ALK+ charity as well.

If you would like to learn more about ALK+ lung cancer, please visit https://www.alkinternational.org/

Thank you so much,

Nikki