A family are pleading for help after a Leeds dad was told he had months to live in his battle against stage four cancer.
Naveen Gulati, 50, received the devastating news his cancer of the head and neck had returned around six weeks ago. His treatment options on the NHS are limited, his family say, and he has been told he has six to 12 months left without treatment - leaving his family to look for other options.
"It's been very tough," Naveen's brother Sandeep told LeedsLive. "We're doing everything we can to make sure he's okay.
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"I live in London but I have been travelling to Leeds regularly to see him and because he misses me. It's been really scary and emotional for the whole family.
"His son has been building up inside. It's been a rollercoaster for all of us and it would mean everything for us to be able to get Naveen well."
Naveen, whose son is just 15, was first diagnosed with cancer over a year ago, Sandeep said, not long after the brothers were dealing with the death of their mother. They had been in and out of hospital with their mum for a while when Naveen started to experience teeth pain.
Once he was diagnosed, he went through surgery, and then intensive chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. It was thought Naveen's cancer was in remission in Autumn of last year, but months later he started experiencing headaches, Sandeep said.
"He had asked for further MRI scans that extended beyond his neck," Sandeep added. Naveen continues to receive immunotherapy on the NHS, but his family are hoping to get him a potentially life-saving higher grade immunotherapy in the US.
Sandeep has now set up a GoFundMe page to raise the £100,000 they will need for treatment. £5,000 has already been raised since the page was set up last week.
"Naveen is a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend, and is such a great and joyful person," Sandeep said. "He loves to travel and loves to meet people.
"He's kind and supportive and if you come to his house you won't leave without a full belly - he loves his food. And now he can't enjoy the food he loves.
"He feels like he's been betrayed by life a bit. We just want him happy and healthy with the quality of life he deserves."
A spokesperson for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We are really sorry to hear that Mr Gulati’s cancer has returned and we continue to support him and his family where we can. We would encourage Mr Gulati and his family to contact us further if they wish to discuss any concerns relating to their care.”
Click here to donate to the GoFundMe page for Naveen's treatment.
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