Helen is 52 and my younger sister. She is also wife to Graham and mum to my lovely nieces Breeya (17) and Megan (15). I have set up this page to try and raise funds to help Helen and Graham pay for 12 months of life extending immunotherapy treatment.

Helen was diagnosed with HPV related tonsil cancer in April 2018. She had a tumour behind her tonsil and stage 4 cancer in her lymph nodes. she undertook months of exhausting and difficult treatment. By October 2018 we thought that she had beaten this disease but within 6 weeks of being given the all clear her cancer returned. Another inoperable tumour and infected lymph nodes. There is no surgical option and so Helen has commenced Chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy.

Doctors are hopeful that the chemotherapy will limit the spread and growth of the cancer whilst the immunotherapy will extend any period of remission. This will mean that Helen will still have a good quality of life and as much time as possible with her girls. The immunotherapy treatment really is the difference between life and a very premature death.

Helen and Graham live in Dubai and whilst their medical cover pays for 80% of the cost of any treatment they themselves have to pay 20%. The immunotherapy alone costs £10,000 per treatment and needs to be given every three weeks for as long as possible in order to maximise any period of remission. This means that they have to find £2000 every three weeks just for the this element of her treatment. That is £36,000 per year. They have used all of their resources on the treatments and operations that Helen has needed over the last 9 months. Family, friends and colleagues have already been incredibly generous with their time and money, for which we are extremely grateful, but now we need to raise money for this continued treatment.

Helen and Graham have fought bravely trying to keep their home life as normal as possible for their girls but the potential loss of Helens income whilst she undergoes chemotherapy, whilst also continuing to fund all of the treatment, means that the situation really has become quite desperate. We are hoping to raise sufficient funds to cover 12 months of the immunotherapy treatment.

Any donations are most welcome, no matter how small. If you are unable to donate please help by sharing this story with your friends.

Thank you for taking the time to read Helens story. Any help will be gratefully received and much appreciated by our whole family.