A YOUNG woman from Bromsgrove who is living with Stage Four cancer has raised more than £5,500 in four weeks to fund alternative treatments.
Amy Redhead was diagnosed with cancer on October 25, and was told it had already spread from her bowel to her liver, and could not be cured.
Doctors told the 28-year-old chemotherapy would only extend her life and without it she would only have months left to live.
But Amy is staying positive and putting her faith in alternative medicines.
She is also following an alkaline vegan diet, with lots of organic fruit and vegetables, and vitamin supplements with every meal to boost her body as much as possible.
As part of her alternative treatment, her friends, family and community have all come out to support her, raising the £5,710 in a month.
She said: “I have always been a firm believer in natural healing, and this situation was no exception.
“If chemotherapy couldn’t cure it, then I was going to tackle it my own way, avoiding harsh, conventional methods for as long as possible.”
Last week, Amy’s friend Laura Adams organised a special netball tournament, hosted by Hotshots netball team at Tudor Grange Academy in Redditch.
With each team paying £25 to play, the tournament and raffle raised £1,350, which will go towards funding holistic care for Amy and, when the time comes, to cover funeral costs and make life easier for her family and friends.
Amy is also hoping her brave battle will have a positive effect on others – to go and get checked at the doctors.
People with Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s disease are at a much greater risk of developing cancer – after ten years of having the disease, the risk of developing bowel cancer is one in 50, after 20 years the risk of developing bowel cancer is one in 12.
“I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when I was 11, so spent a lot of time in and out hospital having tests. I developed a fear of hospitals, and put off getting checks as I got older because I felt fine.
“I was extremely active, going to the gym all the time, and had no symptoms. It wasn’t until October that I began to feel ill and by then, the cancer was at Stage Four.
“I would hate to think of anyone else having to be in this position at my age, so I really am urging people to get themselves checked – even if you feel well.
“Those living with Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s disease are at a much greater risk of cancer, so I can’t stress enough how important it is.
“I’m not going to pretend it’s pleasant or fun, but it could save your life and you can’t put a value on that.”
Visit www.gofundme.com/amys-holistic-fight or email [email protected] to get in touch with Amy.
