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Yuri Manca

Yuri Manca is crowdfunding

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£60,350
raised of £80,000 target by 1456 supporters

Iʼm raising £80,000 to help fund Luke's cancer treatment

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Story

*************** UPDATE BELOW *****************

"Hey everyone,

this is Yuri updating you on behalf of Luke once again.

The last six months have been deeply challenging in unimaginable ways. In late 2024 Luke was sadly told there was one tiny new metastasis in his brain, and one of his previously treated metastasis from late 2023 had started bleeding and caused swelling and seizures, which frustratingly prevented Luke to get SRS treatment as quickly as possible. It was eventually removed surgically and it turned out to be at least 40% cancerous.

After his recovery Luke still experienced various seizures and during his latest appointments we were told some really scary news: potentially, Luke could be suffering from LMD, which is a rare condition caused by cancer cells infiltrating in his CFS, which is the fluid that goes around the brain and down the spine. Not only this, but the stubborn tumour that was previously treated with SRS and then surgically removed once it grew back has decided to appear again and it seems to be growing once more.

After a lumbar puncture (Luke had to be stabbed in the back with a big needle multiple times to test this) we were grateful to see his test came back negative, even though his doctor thinks there is still a chance it could be positive in the area around the metastasis.

His team are now suggesting whole brain radiotherapy, which is very intense, but we are ready to fight this with every tool available to us.

Immediately after, Luke will have to privately fund his own treatment, which will be immunotherapy, and we were told that this would cost no less than £80k.

We are desperately trying to raise further funds to keep him from running out of options. We know we asked for this before, but if you could spare anything to help Luke and give him another fighting chance, we would be eternally grateful.

We are all still so hopeful that if anyone can bounce back from this, it would be him. He has so much fight and so much fire in him and he loves his life so much. He deserves to be around for so much longer.

Any donations right now could literally make the difference between life and death, and we choose life. ♥️

THANK YOU ALL for donating, sharing this, talking about it and even to those who privately and separately raise funds with runs, selling clothes, singing, baking, walking or any other way.

Much love,

Luke and his family."

*************** UPDATE ABOVE *****************

Hello, this is Debbie and Keith, Luke’s parents, and Yuri, his partner. We're fundraising on behalf of Luke for his cancer treatments.

If you know Luke and his story, you're probably aware of his selflessness and his past achievement of raising over £62k for his chosen charity, Melanoma Focus, by walking the entire coast of Wales. His charity instagram page

If you don't know about Luke let us give you some background story: he was originally diagnosed with melanoma back in 2014, when a peculiar-looking mole was found on his back. This turned out to be cancerous, and it was quickly cut out. Fast forward to late 2019, when he found another weird mole, this time on his arm. This also turned out to be cancerous and it was surgically removed. Unfortunately, his cancer managed to spread throughout his body via his lymph nodes, and it was now stage IV.

Things were really hard in the beginning, when he grew increasingly ill. He even had to be hospitalised for about three weeks back in 2020. Thanks to a mix of treatments, first immunotherapy then targeted treatment, Luke finally managed to be classified as NED (no evidence of disease) and although the following word is not widely used in cases like his due to his cancer being incurable, he was practically in remission.

-This lasted approximately 3.5 years-

01/11/2023 - Luke suffered a seizure while walking in Central London and was hospitalised. The team at UCH ran various tests including a CT scan of his head and an MRI, sadly finding at least 7 metastases in his brain. This is of course devastating, but if you know Luke you also know how quickly he managed to grab this incredibly difficult situation and turn it around with his positivity and fighting spirit.

A message from Luke "This is a post I didn’t ever want to have to think about, let alone actually write, but I’m taking a break from fundraising for Melanoma Focus and have officially closed My BIG Cancer Walk activity.

Recently, my health has taken a turn for the worse. A few weeks ago, while on my own walking in London, I started to feel a weird sensation, I tried to call out while hanging onto some railings and next thing I knew, I’m in an ambulance all confused.

I’d suffered a seizure, bleeding from the mouth from severely biting my tongue and soaked from wetting myself. I was rushed to UCL hospital where I spent the night, not initially telling anyone to avoid stressing anyone out.

Following a CT scan it was confirmed I have 7 cancer metastases in my brain. Going from all clear 3 months ago with no organ involvement, this was a huge shock, and a lot to get my head around. I always understood prognosis was poor once it hits the brain however there are many positive stories out there with people living for many years, so I am still positive.

After lots of meetings and more scans it was agreed that I would have 1 round of SRS radiotherapy to zap the little buggers out of my brain. Fast forward to 31st November, the day after my radiotherapy session, and I am back in hospital, having had 3 more seizures.

REALITY CHECK: I’ve now been told once I begin to build resistance to the current targeted treatment I’ve been on for the last 3.5 years (patient medium response is 12-14 months) and relapse, there will no more options through the NHS.

While all of this has been going on, my family and friends have started fundraising for my possible future private treatment, should I need it. The truth is, this is now looking more increasing likely.

I was hoping to rechallenge with immunotherapy, but I don’t meet the bureaucratic NHS (NICE) criteria. There may be trials or funding down the line, but this isn’t guaranteed. Self-funding is now my only future lifeline, and 4 infusions of immunotherapy costs £100,000.

So, with a heavy heart, but a strong conviction to keep fighting the only way I know how, I would like to ask you to join me on the next stage of my Melanoma journey, My BIG Cancer Fund."

We know there is a huge army of people out there who have followed his story from the beginning, and if you are one of those people or if you are just finding out about this right now and would like to support him by donating, we would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We mean it, this means the world to us.

Please help us help Luke. He has always given people a reason to smile, he gives others hope and encourages others to live a great life whilst going through their own personal cancer journeys. We are eternally grateful to all of you.

Debbie, Keith & Yuri

⬆️ Luke as we wait for PET scans to be done. ⬆️

⬆️ In order, Luke after suffering three additional seizures, Luke as he wears his SRS radiotherapy mask (check his cheeky smile underneath!), and Luke as he gets scanned. Plus his new logo, MY BIG CANCER FUND ⬆️

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Updates

2

  • Yuri Manca3 days ago
    Yuri Manca

    Yuri Manca

    3 days ago

    Hey everyone, Yuri here. Just wanted to say a massive thank you for continuing to relentlessly raise funds for Luke's life-saving treatment. We still feel optimistic and it warms our hearts to see so many people organising to move mountains for him. We have people who will shave their heads, people organising yard sales, runs and walks, auctions and raffles... IT'S AMAZING! Thank you all so much. I will be planning a huge bake sale hen we are back in Kidwelly, keep your eyes peeled!

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  • Yuri Manca6 days ago
    Yuri Manca

    Yuri Manca

    6 days ago

    Hey everyone, it’s Yuri with an urgent update on Luke. The last six months have been heartbreaking: his cancer has spread and caused severe complications. Luke now needs whole brain radiotherapy, followed by life-saving immunotherapy, which costs £80k. This treatment might be his only chance, and we’re fighting with all we’ve got. Any donation, no matter how small, could make the difference between life and death. Luke has so much fight in him, and together, we can give him the chance he deserves. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! ♥️

    Share this update to help us raise more

1 year ago

Yuri Manca started crowdfunding

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Page last updated on: 4/2/2025 07.37

Supporters

1456

  • Matt & Nicola

    Matt & Nicola

    Apr 2, 2025

    Hope this helps a bit chap - getting closer to the target every day!

    £100.00

  • Jai & Tom

    Jai & Tom

    Apr 2, 2025

    ❤️

    £50.00

  • Fiona

    Fiona

    Apr 2, 2025

    Keep fighting. Sending love and healing hugs 🤗

  • Anonymous

    Anonymous

    Apr 2, 2025

    £10.00

  • Anonymous

    Anonymous

    Apr 2, 2025

    £5.00

  • R Johnston

    R Johnston

    Apr 1, 2025

    £100.00

  • Fabio

    Fabio

    Apr 1, 2025

    £5.00

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Yuri Manca

Yuri Manca

London

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