I’ve never written anything like this before, but Hope for Tomorrow have given me a life outside of cancer. They’ve given me precious time to spend with my sons, family and loved ones, and I need to make sure that others living with cancer have the same opportunity.
On 6th June 2018 my life blew up. After a year-long ‘gym injury’ I went to the doctors. One Friday I was sent for an MRI of my hip and the next Monday my phone rang asking me to go to the hospital the next day. After a CT scan and biopsy I was diagnosed EHE Sarcoma. EHE is extremely rare, affecting less than one in a million. My prognosis is six months to 40 years. Nothing can be specific with this cancer. There is no cure. It can sit dormant for many years with no symptoms, become aggressive at any time but can also shrink itself. I’ve had three lots of radiotherapy, vertebroplasty to rebuild one of my vertebrae and so many rounds of chemo I can’t remember.
It’s through my treatment I was introduced to Hope for Tomorrow. I’d never heard of Hope for Tomorrow before my treatment, but I’m so grateful to them and their supporters like you.
I can say from experience, one of the hardest things about cancer treatment is getting to the hospital itself! As my cancer is so rare, I have all my specialist appointments at the Royal Marsden Hospital – an eight-hour round trip from my home. And this is why I’m so grateful to Hope for Tomorrow – I’ve been able to have my weekly treatment on-board ‘Elaine’, my local Hope for Tomorrow Mobile Cancer Care Unit.
Without Hope for Tomorrow, I would’ve had to drive a 300-mile round trip every week for my treatment. And knowing how much chemo takes it out of you, I just don’t know how I would’ve coped without Hope for Tomorrow.
During the pandemic, when so many health facilities closed, the Unit continued to be available for treatment – for that alone I will be eternally grateful.
I found out that it costs £198 a day to keep these Units running. Hope for Tomorrow have 12 of these Units across the country, helping approximately 240 patients like me a day.
Can you help by donating today? Donating today will make a real difference. You’ll be reducing the stress and anxiety we feel, and importantly give us extra time with our friends and family.
My cancer is EHE Sarcoma. Yes it’s rare, no there is no cure. I’m currently on a drug which should stabilise my cancer so I can continue enjoying life. I know I will live the rest of my life with cancer but I am going to make sure it is a good one. I can do this thanks to Hope for Tomorrow and people like you donating to provide mobile cancer care in your local area.
You can give hope by donating today.
With my sincere thanks,
Allana Parker
