Hello, I have created this GoFundMe page to support my best friend of 12 years Karim who is currently battling through Stage Four Hodgkins Lymphoma.

 

Karim, until recently a fit and healthy 25 year old apprentice Carpenter, first presented to doctors in March with pains in his chest. Karim was misdiagnosed initially with Costochondritis (an inflammation of cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone) caused by working and over exercise. He sought a second opinion and was misdiagnosed with a bout of indigestion. Not satisfied with either of these findings Karim sought after a third doctor's opinion who then sent him for further scans. In the three month period wait from first doctor to last, his chest pains had increased with a now visible lump becoming evident.

 

Karim visited his doctor on the morning of Saturday July 17th 2021, he was admitted as a priority patient to Cabrini Hospital in Malvern with suspected Lymphoma. A PET scan revealed the locations and sizes of the tumours and a biopsy of the tissue confirmed the diagnosis, Stage Four Hodgkins Lymphoma. He was found to have four tumours in his chest area, the largest being the size of a tennis ball.

 

By the following Wednesday, after a series of tests on his Heart and Lungs, Karim began his first round of Escalated BEACOPP Chemotherapy used to treat Stage Four Hodgkins Lymphoma. Each treatment cycle lasts for 21 days, Karim has completed his fourth cycle and is taking up to 13 tablets of medication per day.

 

As a result of the harsh effects of the chemotherapy, Karim has experienced the following:

 

Despite experiencing all of the adversities he has faced, Karim has maintained his positive and selfless attitude that makes him so special. “Mind over matter, the body will follow the mind if the mind is strong. Life is what you make of it, it can be taken from you at any time, take nothing for granted, if I can help make a difference, help motivate and encourage whoever reads this, even one person, then everything I have experienced will have been worth it”. Inspiring and powerful words from him.

 

Being sick is expensive, Cancer is brutal, chemotherapy does not discriminate, attacking both cancerous and healthy cells. Throughout Karim’s treatment he and his partner have been forced to stay at home. Due to Karim’s depleted immune system he has had very minimal contact with the outside world, only having contact with his girlfriend and parents who drive Karim to see his specialist team for his treatment. Both he and his partner have unable to work, he has medical bills for treatment and medication that needs to be paid as well as living expenses such as rent & utilities.

 

Karim needs your help. If you are in a position to help support Karim financially then please do. If you are not, please share this post to help raise awareness and funds. Together with your support I am hoping we will be able to help ease the financial burdens Karim currently faces so he can focus on kicking Cancer's butt.