A CAMPAIGN has been launched to raise £40,000 for treatment for a Bromsgrove woman who has been diagnosed with an aggressive grade 4 glioblastoma brain tumour.
Over the past six weeks, since her diagnosis, Sarah Witcomb, who is 50, has undergone the most brutal and ravaging rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
But to have the best chance of survival, she really needs to have additional immunotherapy treatment which could potentially slow the growth of the tumour.
A family friend has this week set up a fund-raising page in a bid to find the cash as quickly as possible.
Within 24 hours of it being launched, friends and family had already pledged £10,000 for much-loved Sarah who lives with husband Adrian and daughters Issobella, 20, and Sofia, 18.
It started in September when Sarah, who works as a sales representative at Bromsgrove IT firm Technical Drive, had severe headaches and was struggling to move her arms and legs.
She was taken to Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital where it was thought she had an ear infection and she was given anti-biotics.
After two-and-a-half-weeks, with her situation not improving, Sarah was taken to the Worcestershire Royal where a scan revealed a mass on her brain, as well as a bleed.
A week later she was sent University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) for a biopsy which revealed the devastating diagnosis of the inoperable tumour on the brain.
It was initially thought there were two masses but UHCW found it was one which had spread.
As well as the regular chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, the family researched to find out what else could be done, including immunotherapy which is currently unavailable on the NHS.
Sarah is also unable to see at the moment after having a seizure a few weeks ago but it is hoped her sight will return once the bleed caused by the seizure dissipates.
Issobella told the Standard: “We could not believe it when we received the news of the diagnosis – we were all absolutely devastated.
“We are all in awe of how brave she has been – she hasn’t even cried and has stayed strong – mainly I think to keep us strong.
“Each day when she gets up she says ‘I’m not going to let this beat me’.
“She is always so bubbly and full of energy – we always see her running around after everybody to make sure they’re okay – she’s such a wonderful mum.
“Now it’s time for us to do something for her and we will be grateful to anyone who can donate – however much they can give.”
Visit gofundme.com/f/sarahs-fight-against-the-big-c for more information and to donate to the cause.
