Simon’s Fight Against Brain Cancer

As a family we never thought we would be making a post like this. This is the sort of thing that happens to other people.

I adore Simon my husband my best friend, loved by our children and grandchildren. In March 2018 he was a fit, healthy and hardworking 57 year old living on the Isle of Wight.

Over a period of 2-3 weeks Simon started to get headaches and lost some vision in his left eye. After a GP referral and MRI scan our family doctor asked to see us straight away. I started to fear the worst and my stomach was in knots. I’ll never forget the words the GP said - ‘Simon you need to be brave; you have a brain tumour.’

Simon had major brain surgery which removed an amazing 90% of the tumour, little did we know that the tumour was to be diagnosed as a Glioblastoma grade IV; the most aggressive, fast growing and rare brain tumour - the worst you can get!

Simon’s consultant did not hold back, he said ‘even with radiotherapy and chemotherapy you may only have up to 12 -14 months to live.’

Up until this point we had hoped the tumour was benign or at least a slow growing cancer. Our whole families live’s changed, the moment we received this devastating news. I felt utter shock and horror - I thought I living in a horrible dream and when I would wake up, everything would be ok? But sadly, no. This is reality. The dreaded C word came knocking on our door in the most aggressive form. This is cancer.

Simon has now received the NHS gold standard of care which is surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The amazing NHS does not have any other tricks up its sleeve for us.

As a family we set about trying to find alternative treatments and luckily we found the DCVax-L vaccine which uses immunotherapy to treat Glioblastoma multiform. This vaccine is unique and will be made especially for Simon using tumour tissue and cells from Simon’s blood. The vaccine uses his body to help kill the cancer cells.

The interim results show life expectancy can be extended by months and as much as 7 years.

The vaccine and treatment costs anything up to £250,000 as each vaccine is unique to each individual.

We need your help - time is very short. When you love someone, it’s the most fantastic feeling, and so very very precious. I will do all that I can to keep Simon with us for as long as I can.

We are working hard to fundraise and meet our target, but we desperately need your help and support to have those few extra years with this amazing man I call my Husband.

Every single penny and pound counts towards our target and we need your support to fund this treatment. There is no alternative. Please donate to our cause if you can.

Please would you share and spread the word amongst family, friends, lovers, dogs even the moon and stars - we would love all the support we can get.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we wish you all the very best wishes.

Cherie and family
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Cherie - Simon’s husband

‘I adore my husband my best friend, and is loved by our children and grandchildren.’

Vicky - Simon’s daughter

‘We love him so so much and we are not ready to say goodbye yet.’

Simon’s –Simon’s son

‘My Dad is the constant gravity in my life the one stable ship in a sea full of uncertainty. Well that’s what I thought until we received the dreadful news. My world fell apart in a instance and I was left weightless unable to help. DCVax is our last chance to save the man who let me dream big and live life to the full. Please help us by donating xxx’

Harriet - Simon’s daughter
‘Rescue 1 and Pegleg to name a few are a couple of chosen nicknames I call my dad, Rescue 1, is because no matter where I am or how stuck I am, he's always been there for me and looked after me when I've been sick, I love being out a sea with dad, he really does know how to be a proper pirate for all the grandchildren and Pegleg is the perfect nickname we use as after 4 hip operations he's a little wonky when he walks, I want my dad to see my children grow up and for him to teach them how to sail the seas! Please help this become a reality, anyone that has children will understand the impact their grandparents have on the little ones! X’

If we do not meet our target in time, the monies raised will go towards the care for Simon, alternative treatment options and cancer charities. Thank you x