Joe Slater's Cancer Fund
Donation protected
I haven’t known Joe for as long as some of you might but he’s a man who has touched many with his gentle nature, selfless soul, big heart and philosophical ramblings :-)
About 18 months ago, Joe noticed a small lump in his throat. Working with him at the time, he nipped out of the office to the doctors and came back armed with a load of antibiotics having been told it was a throat infection.
After a couple of weeks, the lump was still there, so he went back to the doctors and was told he needed a course of antibiotic injections... they did not work either.
With no health insurance, savings and few able relatives back in the UK to help him, six months of uncertainty ensued. After various appointments at different clinics and hospitals in Phnom Penh no one was able to give him a diagnosis. Throughout this time the lump in Joe’s throat had grown to the size of a small lime.
Eventually, Joe was able to save and borrow the money to fly to Chiang Mai to attend a hospital there, where he received surgery to remove what was described as a cyst. The doctors in Chiang Mai told him they would do pathology on the cyst they removed and send him the results. The tests revealed that the cyst was tonsil cancer, which had metastized (spread) to a lymph node.
With cancer treatment costing a fortune in Thailand, Joe was forced to return to the UK, where he underwent surgery to remove the tonsil and tumor. The surgery was followed by a six-week course of radiotherapy combined with two treatments of chemotherapy in November and December, 2015.
Again, with no roots in England any more and no money, while undergoing treatments, which have some pretty horrendous side effects, Joe had to spend nights in YHA hostels and on two occasions had to sleep rough due to not being able to find any affordable accommodation, in between being put up by the friends and relatives that were able to help.
After successfully completing the treatment, Joe returned to his home and the life he has created for himself during the six years he has lived in Cambodia.
However, for the last few weeks, Joe has feared his cancer may have returned and must go back to the UK for tests and possible further treatment. Joe now faces another huge battle; made worse because he has no means to fund his essential trip home. Having exhausted the generosity of friends and circumstances having changed meaning he cannot stay with relatives, he needs help to fund the cost of being back in the UK receiving life-saving treatment.
Joe is a private man, and I know every part of him will hate me doing this. I also know he has lots of friends and people who care for him, who can contribute towards making sure this nightmare is ever-so-slightly eased by taking the financial pressure off him.
This story is every expats’ worst nightmare, and it could easily be you, or your friend or relative, so please have a heart and dig deep today so we can get Joe on a plane back to England as soon as possible.
About 18 months ago, Joe noticed a small lump in his throat. Working with him at the time, he nipped out of the office to the doctors and came back armed with a load of antibiotics having been told it was a throat infection.
After a couple of weeks, the lump was still there, so he went back to the doctors and was told he needed a course of antibiotic injections... they did not work either.
With no health insurance, savings and few able relatives back in the UK to help him, six months of uncertainty ensued. After various appointments at different clinics and hospitals in Phnom Penh no one was able to give him a diagnosis. Throughout this time the lump in Joe’s throat had grown to the size of a small lime.
Eventually, Joe was able to save and borrow the money to fly to Chiang Mai to attend a hospital there, where he received surgery to remove what was described as a cyst. The doctors in Chiang Mai told him they would do pathology on the cyst they removed and send him the results. The tests revealed that the cyst was tonsil cancer, which had metastized (spread) to a lymph node.
With cancer treatment costing a fortune in Thailand, Joe was forced to return to the UK, where he underwent surgery to remove the tonsil and tumor. The surgery was followed by a six-week course of radiotherapy combined with two treatments of chemotherapy in November and December, 2015.
Again, with no roots in England any more and no money, while undergoing treatments, which have some pretty horrendous side effects, Joe had to spend nights in YHA hostels and on two occasions had to sleep rough due to not being able to find any affordable accommodation, in between being put up by the friends and relatives that were able to help.
After successfully completing the treatment, Joe returned to his home and the life he has created for himself during the six years he has lived in Cambodia.
However, for the last few weeks, Joe has feared his cancer may have returned and must go back to the UK for tests and possible further treatment. Joe now faces another huge battle; made worse because he has no means to fund his essential trip home. Having exhausted the generosity of friends and circumstances having changed meaning he cannot stay with relatives, he needs help to fund the cost of being back in the UK receiving life-saving treatment.
Joe is a private man, and I know every part of him will hate me doing this. I also know he has lots of friends and people who care for him, who can contribute towards making sure this nightmare is ever-so-slightly eased by taking the financial pressure off him.
This story is every expats’ worst nightmare, and it could easily be you, or your friend or relative, so please have a heart and dig deep today so we can get Joe on a plane back to England as soon as possible.
Organizer
Maris Sa
Organizer
