Dear friends and friends of friends

I am about to do something brave, but she is braver. I am about to do something bold, but she is beyond bold.

This is my attempt to try anything, to do something ambitious but possible! I realise everyone has a personal struggle or possibly a family member affected by cancer. I also see efforts to raise money for causes and charities every day by people who complete challenges and push themselves to benefit others. This is our personal cause, our family member, our mother who needs our help. And she is terrified.

In the spirit of 'if you don't ask you don't get' and believe me, not something I am comfortable doing. I will try and be brief but clear in explaining my plea. My mother, Renette, has oral cancer. It has come to the stage where she has to decide between having radio/chemo therapy or not. This after 5 surgeries over the past 6 years. Both options (do or don't) have horrific side effects and the road will be long and painful. We are trying to do whatever we can to help make this final journey as pain free and positive as possible. She has young grandchildren and so much she doesn't want to miss.

Radiation alone will most likely result in loss of sense of taste, inability to swallow and permanent dry mouth. She will not be able to eat & my mother loves her food! If she doesn't the cancer will return, most likely very soon. Going to this clinic will give her the cancer treatment (chemo, they don't recommend radiation) and a mass of alternative therapies (fever therapy, vitamin infusions, daily balanced diet and 24/7 expert care including counseling). The doctors there believe they can help. Their wholistic approach attempts to detoxify and strengthen defenses. If treatment cannot cure cancer it will delay recurrence and provide quality of, and prolong life.

If ultimate goal is not achieved, any money received will be used for local alternative treatment in South Africa as a second best solution to at least ease the financial burden and get the best care for the time remaining. Medical Insurance in South Africa is limiting and the fight has already been long and hard. Limits have been reached.

Target 1 - £16000 (including return flight and 4 week stay at Hufeland Clinic in Germany). See, I know that this is an option, I also know it's expensive. But because I know, I have to try. Check it out.

Hufeland Klinik: Holistic Cancer Treatment in Germanyhttps://www.hufeland.com/en

Target 2 - if ultimate goal not achieved, will pay for alternative treatment in SA (blood oxygenation and supplements) as well as extremely high medical bills for PET scans etc.

Every little bit counts right? We don't have long...

With thanks and gratitude for your generosity

Her nearest and dearest