Mum hopes cancer trial can prolong life
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A ROSS-SHIRE mother-of-three diagnosed with advanced stage cancer is in London this week trying to get herself a place on a clinical trial for drugs that may prolong her life.
Lucy Wilson is undergoing tests at the Royal Marsden Hospital to find out if she will be a suitable candidate for the programme.
Speaking from the waiting room at the world-leading cancer centre, the 38-year-old from Evanton said she was determined to get onto the trial.
She said: "I spent last week in Raigmore Hospital having four units of blood because I needed a transfusion so I’m feeling really rubbish just now but I didn’t want to miss this appointment in London."
The mobile hairdresser – who is mum to Chloe (18), Caitlin (15) and Savannah (11) – was left devastated in September after being told by doctors she had incurable endometrial cancer.
She has now been referred to the Royal Marden Hospital for tests to see if she is a suitable candidate for a free cancer treatment trial.
Running alongside this is a massive community campaign to raise at least £28,000 to send Ms Wilson to Germany for cutting edge treatment that is not available on the NHS.
She wants to fly to the Hallwang private oncology clinic for a treatment called immunotherapy but is around £20,000 short of the goal and fears she has only months left to live.
Community fundraising events in the pipeline include an online charity auction ending on Sunday, which has 19 lots and features a weekend break on a Dutch barge in Suffolk, a stay in Evanton’s five-star Assynt House Holiday Lodge, a 10-week Spanish language course and a three-month gym membership with High Life Highland among its top wins.
There will also be a techno dance event with 20 DJs over three rooms at Bogbain Farm next Saturday and friends are organising a coffee morning in the Cornerstone Café at Balconie Street in Evanton tomorrow.
More than £500 was raised at a Gypsy Wedding event in Evanton last weekend and about £7000 has been raised through earlier fundraising events, raffles and private donations.
A fundraising page set up by Ms Wilson’s daughters can be found at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chloe-calder
