A GRANDMOTHER-of-seven who is fighting a stage four brain tumour is looking for help to pay for alternative treatments.
Karen Rigby, from Carr Mill, was concerned in 2015 when she was smelling burning for no reason, suffering instances of déjà vu and have mini seizures.
She was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour which she got removed with no further treatment needed.
However, in December 2020 she had another operation after learning another brain tumour had returned. In January 2021 this one was discovered to be a Stage four glioblastoma unmethylated.
Glioblastomas are grade 4 brain tumours. They’re fast-growing, diffuse – meaning they have threadlike tendrils that extend into other parts of the brain, are likely to spread within the brain and may come back even if intensively treated.
The mum-of-two, who works at Fairfield Hospital, has undergone all available rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but the unmethylated part of her diagnosis means her type of tumour is unlikely to react well to those kinds of treatments.
Karen, 60, is now looking to have alternative treatments not available on the NHS, but this will cost thousands of pounds, therefore her children Alex and Lorraine are now looking to the public to help.
Her daughter Lorraine Lea, 33, said: “My mum is absolutely everything to me, and I just feel like she’s still too young to be facing this and my two children are only young.
“I couldn’t bear the thought that she won’t be here to see them go to college or get married, they adore her.
“We’ve reached the end of what the NHS can offer her and she’s been discharged from them, but the majority of alternative treatments come at a large price, making it difficult to fund the treatment long-term.
“We just want to raise enough money as possible to give mum the best chance, because other than being tired she’s still doing really well in herself.
“Even the doctors say her appearance doesn’t match with how ill her body is.”
The family have set up a GoFundMe page which has currently raised more than £4,250 towards future treatment for Karen.
On the page Karen, a former mobile hairdresser, has written: “I genuinely believe I can fight this and continue to see my beautiful grandchildren grow up. My family means everything to me, and I am so grateful for their love and support throughout this journey.
“I hope you will join me in kicking cancer's butt.”
To donate go to gofundme.com/f/lets-kick-cancer-with-karen
Karen’s family are also looking to host a fundraising black-tie ball at Saints’ Totally Wicked Stadium in the next few month. However they need local businesses who are willing to donate prizes that can be won to encourage more donations to get in touch.
To get in touch please contact Lorraine via Facebook messenger via facebook.com/lorrainerigby136
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