Treatment & Recovery Fund for Josh Falconer
Donation protected
Our great friend, Josh Falconer, is still on his journey to recovery with brain cancer. Even after 13 months of treatment, he still presents with a high-grade Glioma.
It all started in December 2019 when Josh had extensive brain surgery to partially remove a large Astrocytoma Grade 2 brain tumor. Oncologists then advised that he undergo radiotherapy and chemotherapy to treat the remaining parts of the tumor, which had started to develop further and to a higher grade. Unfortunately, this treatment, which started in March 2020, was interrupted after 2 weeks due to COVID-19 and the national lockdown. He was able to continue with the radiotherapy but had to stop the chemo.
Sadly, this treatment was not successful in stopping the progression of the tumor and throughout the rest of 2020, Josh underwent a 6 month course of Temozolomide Chemotherapy, whilst also maintaining a strict diet and taking many supplements to keep his energy levels and immune system up as much as possible.
However, in January 2021 a further MRI revealed that, although the chemo had downgraded parts of the tumor, it had not been successful in halting its progression altogether. In addition, the doctors are now concerned that there are some signs that Josh may be developing MS, which needs further tests and investigation.
Throughout all of this, his amazing girlfriend, Sarah, has been at his side as his full time carer and champion. She’s been with him for all his appointments, working closely with a nutritionist monitoring his diet, and scouring the internet for alternative treatments and homeopathic remedies.
At this point, there are no further treatments currently available to Josh via the NHS so his only option is to seek private alternatives, which can be very expensive. The money raised via this page goes towards these treatments and to improve Josh’s quality of life.
The treatment options we are currently exploring are:
· Ongoing monthly vitamin supplement regimen (approx. £700/month)
· Chemothermia clinic in Istanbul
· Multi Peptide vaccines and immunotherapy in Germany
· DCVax available for trial but not in this country so we will have to pay and again travel abroad
Each treatment is between £6-10K, with many requiring up to 4 cycles. As noted, they are also not always available in the UK so would require travel to other countries. For this reason, we have had to increase our funding goal so that as many of these treatment options are available to Josh as possible to help him beat this disease.
So, if, like me, you’ve been watching Josh's struggle and wondering how best to help him and Sarah, then please contribute what you can here. It really does make a huge difference and means so much to them both. Thank you for showing your support!
To read Josh's story in full, please scroll through the previous updates posted over the past year below.
It all started in December 2019 when Josh had extensive brain surgery to partially remove a large Astrocytoma Grade 2 brain tumor. Oncologists then advised that he undergo radiotherapy and chemotherapy to treat the remaining parts of the tumor, which had started to develop further and to a higher grade. Unfortunately, this treatment, which started in March 2020, was interrupted after 2 weeks due to COVID-19 and the national lockdown. He was able to continue with the radiotherapy but had to stop the chemo.
Sadly, this treatment was not successful in stopping the progression of the tumor and throughout the rest of 2020, Josh underwent a 6 month course of Temozolomide Chemotherapy, whilst also maintaining a strict diet and taking many supplements to keep his energy levels and immune system up as much as possible.
However, in January 2021 a further MRI revealed that, although the chemo had downgraded parts of the tumor, it had not been successful in halting its progression altogether. In addition, the doctors are now concerned that there are some signs that Josh may be developing MS, which needs further tests and investigation.
Throughout all of this, his amazing girlfriend, Sarah, has been at his side as his full time carer and champion. She’s been with him for all his appointments, working closely with a nutritionist monitoring his diet, and scouring the internet for alternative treatments and homeopathic remedies.
At this point, there are no further treatments currently available to Josh via the NHS so his only option is to seek private alternatives, which can be very expensive. The money raised via this page goes towards these treatments and to improve Josh’s quality of life.
The treatment options we are currently exploring are:
· Ongoing monthly vitamin supplement regimen (approx. £700/month)
· Chemothermia clinic in Istanbul
· Multi Peptide vaccines and immunotherapy in Germany
· DCVax available for trial but not in this country so we will have to pay and again travel abroad
Each treatment is between £6-10K, with many requiring up to 4 cycles. As noted, they are also not always available in the UK so would require travel to other countries. For this reason, we have had to increase our funding goal so that as many of these treatment options are available to Josh as possible to help him beat this disease.
So, if, like me, you’ve been watching Josh's struggle and wondering how best to help him and Sarah, then please contribute what you can here. It really does make a huge difference and means so much to them both. Thank you for showing your support!
To read Josh's story in full, please scroll through the previous updates posted over the past year below.
Organizer and beneficiary
Sophie Watt
Organizer
England
Sarah marie collins
Beneficiary
