A dad-of-two faces developing terminal cancer without "expensive treatment".
Justin Rogers, 48, has been diagnosed with colon cancer which has progressed to metastatic liver cancer. Despite receiving NHS treatment, the former Royal Marines Commando has been advised this will have a serious effect on his liver and cannot continue this treatment long-term.
But stopping the treatment means Justin's cancer will become terminal, LancsLive reports. There are two alternative therapies that could help Justin, but they are not available on the NHS. Now his close friends have rallied around to help raise the £100,000 needed for private treatment.
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Stephen Richmond, 48, from Southport, will be putting himself to the test to complete the infamous Royal Marines Commando pre-joining fitness test (The PJFT+). The fundraiser describes a "desperate need" to save his friend's life.
The dad-of-five said: "Justin is the sort of person who would do anything for anyone. He often showed this trait to me. He would go over and above and take on any task. It was ALWAYS with a smile on his face. Justin was a Royal Marines Commando and signed up knowing he could give his life in defence of his country. Now I am appealing to you to help try and save his."
The fundraiser has so far raised more than £300 towards the vital funds needed for Justin's treatment. The friends met in 2000 and became "good mates almost immediately". Now, Stephen is asking for help as Justin faces "the most difficult fight of all."
He added: "They will not be able to continue this treatment in the long term. By stopping the treatment this cancer will become terminal. There is a chink of light.... Justin's cancer can be treated with the use of two alternative therapies. However, these are not available for funding on the NHS.
"The two therapies are Immunotherapy and Gene Therapy. These two therapies can inhibit growth, target and destroy cancer cells. With this treatment, Justin can face the potential of a full recovery instead of what he is currently facing.
"These two treatments are incredibly expensive and they are facing a bill of almost £100,000 so there is a desperate need to raise this money as soon as possible."
Stephen's test will include 20 burpees, 30 sit-ups, 20 press-ups and a one-minute plank, three times. After completion of this part of the test, he will be required to complete five pull-ups.
There will then be a swimming test in which he has to swim 150m in a pool using breaststroke and without touching the sides or floor. Then he has to tread water for two minutes, leaving the pool without using the steps. A far cry from his struggled run with Justin which left him "close to being sick" on one occasion.
Stephen is going to document his training by video which will be uploaded to his social media accounts to track his progress on Instagram and TikTok. You can donate to the fundraiser and see his progress here.
He said: "As I said earlier, Justin was a Royal Marines Commando. He was super fit and I was Steve, a Royal Marines Commando's mate. I was not fit. I was so unfit I am sure he would make me do these things to test my fitness.
"Please support me on my journey as this will be the toughest challenge I have ever faced both physically and emotionally. For Justin, I love you brother."
