Appeal for life-saving cancer treatment for 26-year-old woman
The family of a young woman have launched a desperate appeal to raise funds for life-saving cancer treatment.
Megan Smith, aged 26 from Kidderminster, was diagnosed in January 2019 with a rare advanced rectal cancer stage four with kras mutation, after being misdiagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
The former carer has defied doctors’ predictions and, after being referred for end of life care, an inoperable tumour on her bowel was removed last August.
Sadly, she has now exhausted all lines of treatment in the UK, but she and her family were determined not to give up.
After extensive research, they discovered a drug in America that could work on Megan’s type of mutation.
It is being used in clinical trials at the moment and has been fast tracked by the FDA for approval.
Terri Smith, 34, Megan’s sister, said: “She’s had standard lines of chemotherapy, oxaliplatin and irinotecan and tried both with Avastin. Avastin isn’t available on the NHS and we’ve had to self fund it.
“We’ve do so much research on Megan’s cancer type and mutations and found it.
“It’s the only drug in the world that has shown really good success rates in treating Megan’s cancer type.
“Unfortunately Megan doesn’t meet the criteria for the trial as she’s already has to many lines of treatment, but after contacting them directly they agreed for Megan to have the drug on compassionate care.”
The family are now appealing for help in raising £150,000 cover treatment at Keek Medical centre in Los Angeles as well as other travel expenses.
Megan has even returned to work as a hairdresser to help raise funds towards it.
Terri added: “It’s turned our whole world upside down.
“Seeing someone you love so much so ill is the hardest thing anyone of us had ever had to deal with.
“Having said that we all keep positive, and our spirits high and focus on the good things that’s happening that’s what gets us through.
“Megan has the biggest heart and always offers help and support to others even since she’s been ill.
“Our advice to others is hope and be your own advocate, educate yourself and research as much as you can there’s always something that can be done.
“Lastly we want to thank everyone local businesses local people that have shown their love support and with them it wouldn’t be possible in Getting Megan to America.”
So far, more than £18,000 has been raised.
