After originally being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 at the age of 37, Sam received the news at the end of September that it had returned to her liver. Secondary breast cancer is not curable, however it is treatable and although Sam has been devastated by this news and its impact on there family, they have been encouraged by the speed in which the NHS has responded to Sam's situation. As we speak Sam is already several cycles in to her chemotherapy regime.

Sam was advised by her oncologist that alongside a combination of Herceptin and chemotherapy a new drug Pertuzumab would be best the best option for her. However Pertuzumab is not available on the NHS in Wales, although it is available routinely in England on the NHS.

Having applied to the Health Board’s Individual Patient Funding Request Panel (IPFR), and been turned down, Sam is looking to appeal the decision, and has also written to AM Rebecca Evans and MP Byron Davies for support with this.

They have decided that they do not have the luxury of time to wait for any decision on this drug, so in the short term they are using what savings they have to fund at least the first three treatments. The initial loading dose costs £5,000 and every subsequent treatment will cost £3,000. Sam had her first infusion of Pertuzumab on Friday 21 October.

So in the short-term whilst still reeling from the diagnosis and the implications this has on her family, i have decided to start fundraising. Sam has been loving and living life for the past 9 years and she intends to keep doing so.

We realise that Pertuzumab does not offer a miracle cure, however it gives Sam hope that she could have months or years of extra time with her husband and son.

Any donation would be greatly received.

Big love always
Elliot

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