Hi, my name is Amanda and I am hoping to raise funds to support myself and my dad whilst he is undergoing treatment for acute leukemia.

This year started with immense devastation as my mum suffered a severe stroke completely out of the blue. One that she had no chance of recovering from. She passed away in hospital 3 days later. Something, I know that thousands of families have experienced. My mum and dad had known eachother since they were 15 years old and had been married for 56 years. She was 76 when she passed. Obviously, my father, myself and my sister are devastated.

My father and I are residents in Spain and my sister lives with her family in the UK.

Dad became very withdrawn the week after, which was expected after losing the love of his whole life. I could see a shift in his behaviour and health. Two weeks later he collapsed in our bathroom. Fearing the worst (that he had suffered a stroke too) with tears streaming down my face, i called an ambulance. Upon its arrival I was informed that my dad was severely dehydrated and that they couldn't find a vein to put a canula into. He was rushed into hospital and after several hours of tests I was told that he required a blood transfusion due to on going rectal bleeding that apparently had been going on for some months without my mum or myself knowing anything about it. My dad had been suffering in silence whilst caring for my mum. After a colonoscopy I was told that the bleeding was caused by ulcers in the rectum which had been bleeding continuously causing my dad's blood loss. These were a result of the radiotherapy treatment he received for prostate cancer back in 2020. Several transfusions later and a bone marrow test, he was diagnosed with acute leukemia. Again, something i know many people suffer with.

Since his diagnosis he has been in and out of hospital, put on chemo tablets and stem cell injections. Currently he has been hospitalised again due to a fungal mouth infection most probably caused by one of the treatments. His mouth is so ulcerated that he couldn't even drink water let alone eat anything. He hadn't eaten properly for 2 weeks before they took him in. He is now on his 12th day of antibiotic treatment via a drip, still receiving blood and platelet transfusions and i just don't know what the outcome will be. Everyday seems to bring a new challenge, more negativity and a deep feeling of dread.

This is not by any means a sob story, I am well aware that people/families go through this every day. I am not special! I'm a daughter whose only focus and priority is to do all she can to get her dad better and to a place where he can enjoy a few more years.

My reason for this is the question of, what financial support does a family get under these circumstances? Specifically me????? I had a good job which i can no longer commit to as my father needs my constant attention whilst the doctors try to find a solution to keep him stable and give him the quality of life that he deserves. Everyone is different. There is no text book to say what treatment will work for everyone.

I have now been out of work for just over 2 months. Yes I was in a situation where I could take a hit on not earning money for a few months but it is getting to the point where its becoming more difficult.

On top of my father being sick, I have the job of dealing with my mothers affairs, cancelling her pension, freezing her bank account and waiting for the life insurance decide whether to pay out or not. I am now covering some of the direct debits they have together, paying for some of my dad's medical treatments (those that are non financible by the government). I am currently looking into some kind of attendance allowance from the UK and perhaps some unemployment benefit here in Spain. I have no idea how much longer I will be unable to work. Im hoping it will be only another month or two whilst my dad finds some stability. These things take time though and yes the payments may cover the rent on the house but thats a drop in the ocean.

I have been on autopilot since my mums passing and am gradually feeling the events of the past 2 months taking their toll on me both mentally and physically. I need to remain strong for my dad.

I have never asked for help or hand outs in my life. As a family we have always supported charities and others with less than ourselves in any way we can. I am one of the most selfless people you could ever meet and believe me to be doing this is a last resort but I need some help to keep myself and my dad going until all my mums affairs can be sorted out and my dad can be back home making positive steps to some kind of recovery. I would be eternally grateful and would 100% pay it forward when I have the means too.

Thank you for reading my story ❤️