A brave young woman battling incurable cancer has told how she is desperate to ‘hold on to life’.
Laura Anderson, 35, was diagnosed in July 2020 with a rare and incurable, neuroendocrine pancreatic tumour, which has spread to her liver, stomach and lymph nodes.
When Laura reacted badly to chemotherapy, she and husband, Paul, had to seek alternatives and found an innovative holistic treatment in Mexico to boost the immune system so that if fights cancer.
But almost two years since then, Laura is deteriorating again, and the couple are desperate to return for more treatment and a chance of life.
Laura, who used to work in health and safety for Standard Life, said: “There have been times, especially when I’ve been in a lot of pain, when I’ve thought ‘this is it, the end is near’ and I’ve tried to make my peace with it.
“But I can’t just give up. I love Paul and don’t want to leave him.
“We haven’t had much time together.
“We only got married a little more than four years ago and like every other couple we had dreams about the things we wanted to share, especially having our own family, and I still hold on to that.”
It was while trying to find out why she wasn’t getting pregnant that Laura received the shocking diagnosis, made worse when the couple were told she probably only had three months to live.
Learning that Laura could not stand up to chemotherapy, the couple did their own research and decided their best chance was the Hope4Cancer clinic in Mexico.
A gofundme appeal provoked an incredible response, with £45,000 raised in three days, enough to allow the couple to reach the clinic, begin treatment and meet ongoing costs of recommended home protocols that continue to this day.
These include various immunity-boosting supplements, immunotherapy injections, infrared lamps, saunas, sessions in a hyperbaric chamber to help her to heal and a daily regime of meditation.
Alongside pain medication, this helped Laura to feel well again, and scan results showed her tumour was stable for some time after.
She said: “I even dared to dream about becoming a mum again.
“My friends have been wonderful and supportive, but most of them have children now, some are on to their second, and although I’m delighted for them, I’m heartbroken that Paul and I haven’t had that experience.”
Sadly, her condition has deteriorated again and a new fundraising effort has been launched.
Speaking at their home in Penicuik, Midlothian, with Paul, a project manager for Vision Events production company, by her side, Laura said: “It’s so hard to ask people to give their money to help you, especially for a second time.”
With both brushing away tears, Laura added: “I am struggling now with pain and tiredness, and I know it will get worse.
“But I really want a chance to have more time, and with time maybe a hope that research moves on enough for me to be cured.
“We raised the first chunk of money quickly, probably because of Covid and lockdown.
“People couldn’t go out and spend their money and they were incredibly generous to us.
“It’s a different situation now. We’re in the middle of a financial crisis, there’s a war on and we’ve just had a massive natural disaster in Turkey and Syria.
“I’m only one person and there are so many causes, but I’m trying to hold on to life because it is precious and I want the chance to get better.”
Her condition now indicates she would require three courses of treatment if she is able to return to the clinic.
The appeal this time is for £140,000, and she finds it hard to think about asking the public to donate such a vast sum for her, even for the chance of life.
But a new, evasive treatment option, which has had positive results for patients with a similar diagnosis, makes Laura feel she must chase the chance of a future.
With help from Paul and friends, she has organised a major event to help boost the fund.
A fancy dress fundraiser is to be held on 31 March in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, at the Hub on Castlehill
The £50 admission includes food, live bands and dancing, and the event, which will have a superhero theme, will also feature a live raffle to raise additional funds for the appeal with a range of prizes donated by sponsors.
Beyonce tickets for her Edinburgh leg of the world tour; Who tickets for Edinburgh Castle; Terminal V tickets; stays in some of Scotland’s finest hotels; a break in Italy and another in Yorkshire catch the eye.
Paul’s employer Vision Events has offered an AV package for a wedding or other party with PA system, lighting and a technician for the day; StreamFit UK has donated a years’ online callenetics membership; and West Links Golf Course, North Berwick, will have sponsor Chris Montgomery join three players for a round at the world-renowned course.
There will also be an online raffle with another selection of top prizes for those unable to attend the event.
To donate to the appeal click here.
Click here to buy tickets for the Edinburgh fundraiser.
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