Support Tully West to Beat Brain Cancer
Donation protected
In 2015, at the age of 20, Tully West was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), the most invasive type of brain cancer. A gruelling 4 hour Awake Brain Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy sent this rare cancer into remission for almost 4 years. BUT, it is back, and Tully needs your help.
Most 20 years olds dream of a carefree life, and the opportunity to work hard, play hard, travel, study, socialise with friends & family while doing something meaningful. Tully is a talented skater and filmmaker. He is a son, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin, a boyfriend and a friend to so many people around the world. If you speak to those who know him, they'll tell you Tully is a humble, kind, caring, generous, hilarious, honest and spirited young man, with much to offer the world.
In 2015, the majority of Tully's dreams were abruptly taken away, as he suddenly lost control of his right arm and was displaying stroke like symptoms. Worse ensued. MRI results devastating confirmed that it was a tumour the size of a 50c coin on the left side of his brain, resting on the nerves that control his right side and speech.
Within 24hrs he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), a rare, fast growing, aggressive cancer. GBM is THE most invasive type of brain cancer, and one that Doctors tell us, will be his life long illness. It will never truly go away.
Tully was so incredibly strong and positive the entire time, determined to beat it so that he could continue to live his young life. He underwent an Awake Brain Surgery (Intraoperative Brain Mapping) to attempt to remove the tumour without damaging critical parts of his brain, 98% of the tumour was successfully removed.
Heartbreakingly, his cancer remission was short lived.
On the 16th April 2019 Tully, now 24, found himself, again, in the Austin Hospital, Melbourne, with three (3) tumours. He had suffered a seizure in his right arm which he had no control over. This is what took him back to the hospital. Worst of all, due to the size and position of the aggressive tumour, less treatment options are available now. Surgery and Radiotherapy are unfortunately no longer possibilities.
Tully started Chemotherapy (Temozolomide) on the 18th April 2019, which he will be on for 12 months. The Chemotherapy and myriad of medications (anti-seizure and anti-nausea medication, steroids, and many more) are stripping away his basic independence. Once again, life, is no longer as he knows it, but replaced with daily trips to hospitals, schedules of medications, and MRI's. Feeling grateful for the amazing medical treatments available to him and focusing on what HAS to be done, he/we will try anything to beat this and are looking into every possible avenue. While the aim of Chemotherapy is long-term tumour control, it does so in only about 20 percent of patients.
Tully cannot drive for a minimum of 6 months, or work for a minimum of 12 -18 months. He often has difficulty with controlling his hand and more recently his right foot often feeling numb.
His family are obviously supporting him as much as possible, while also juggling their other responsibilities and resources are becoming exhausted.
With your support, we can collectively HELP Tully to get through this very difficult 12 months. Any amount of money raised will help dramatically and enable Tully to live in a less stressful state of mind and environment, and to not worry so much about the cost of rent, food, medication and transport to and from hospital.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and PLEASE - share this page far and wide. xoxo Kelly
Tul's Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/tullywest/
Just 2 of Tully's films
https://vimeo.com/217184319
https://vimeo.com/267168552 
Tully and Mum (Kelly) after 1st Surgery, 2015. So brave.

Tully in China, on a filming trip with his friends
2018  Tully with delightful girlfriend Janine who has been SO incredible and supportive, as have her family. 
After 1st surgery, always thinking positively! 
Getting prepared for the 1st Radiotherapy session - every weekday for 6 weeks.  We won't share a picture of the mask he has to wear...
With friends :) 
18th April 2019-1st Day of Chemotherapy. 12 months to go......  
After Surgery in 2015. At least he was home by this stage. 
Most 20 years olds dream of a carefree life, and the opportunity to work hard, play hard, travel, study, socialise with friends & family while doing something meaningful. Tully is a talented skater and filmmaker. He is a son, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin, a boyfriend and a friend to so many people around the world. If you speak to those who know him, they'll tell you Tully is a humble, kind, caring, generous, hilarious, honest and spirited young man, with much to offer the world.
In 2015, the majority of Tully's dreams were abruptly taken away, as he suddenly lost control of his right arm and was displaying stroke like symptoms. Worse ensued. MRI results devastating confirmed that it was a tumour the size of a 50c coin on the left side of his brain, resting on the nerves that control his right side and speech.
Within 24hrs he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), a rare, fast growing, aggressive cancer. GBM is THE most invasive type of brain cancer, and one that Doctors tell us, will be his life long illness. It will never truly go away.
Tully was so incredibly strong and positive the entire time, determined to beat it so that he could continue to live his young life. He underwent an Awake Brain Surgery (Intraoperative Brain Mapping) to attempt to remove the tumour without damaging critical parts of his brain, 98% of the tumour was successfully removed.
Heartbreakingly, his cancer remission was short lived.
On the 16th April 2019 Tully, now 24, found himself, again, in the Austin Hospital, Melbourne, with three (3) tumours. He had suffered a seizure in his right arm which he had no control over. This is what took him back to the hospital. Worst of all, due to the size and position of the aggressive tumour, less treatment options are available now. Surgery and Radiotherapy are unfortunately no longer possibilities.
Tully started Chemotherapy (Temozolomide) on the 18th April 2019, which he will be on for 12 months. The Chemotherapy and myriad of medications (anti-seizure and anti-nausea medication, steroids, and many more) are stripping away his basic independence. Once again, life, is no longer as he knows it, but replaced with daily trips to hospitals, schedules of medications, and MRI's. Feeling grateful for the amazing medical treatments available to him and focusing on what HAS to be done, he/we will try anything to beat this and are looking into every possible avenue. While the aim of Chemotherapy is long-term tumour control, it does so in only about 20 percent of patients.
Tully cannot drive for a minimum of 6 months, or work for a minimum of 12 -18 months. He often has difficulty with controlling his hand and more recently his right foot often feeling numb.
His family are obviously supporting him as much as possible, while also juggling their other responsibilities and resources are becoming exhausted.
With your support, we can collectively HELP Tully to get through this very difficult 12 months. Any amount of money raised will help dramatically and enable Tully to live in a less stressful state of mind and environment, and to not worry so much about the cost of rent, food, medication and transport to and from hospital.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and PLEASE - share this page far and wide. xoxo Kelly
Tul's Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/tullywest/
Just 2 of Tully's films
https://vimeo.com/217184319
https://vimeo.com/267168552 
Tully and Mum (Kelly) after 1st Surgery, 2015. So brave.
 Tully in China, on a filming trip with his friends
2018  Tully with delightful girlfriend Janine who has been SO incredible and supportive, as have her family. 
After 1st surgery, always thinking positively! 
Getting prepared for the 1st Radiotherapy session - every weekday for 6 weeks.  We won't share a picture of the mask he has to wear...
With friends :) 
18th April 2019-1st Day of Chemotherapy. 12 months to go......  
After Surgery in 2015. At least he was home by this stage. 
Organizer and beneficiary
Kelly West
Organizer
Melbourne VIC
Tully West
Beneficiary
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