Sadly our mission has changed. Darren passed away peacefully at home on Saturday evening surrounded by family. Glenda wants everyone to know that he was her hero, inspiration and love. He fought so hard and we are all proud to have called him our friend xx

My name is Darren Hunter and I am 53 yrs. old. Less than 12 months ago and having had no symptoms I was diagnosed with stage 3C Bowl cancer that needed to be shrunk to stand any chance of cutting it out. After weeks of gruelling chemoradiotherapy my worst fears where realised – it had spread to my Liver. Hope remained to possibly cut it out if I responded to the Chemotherapy drugs, I was on the limit. Weeks of intense Chemotherapy followed. The prognosis was still positive, the fight was still on. The endless sickness, exhaustion and time lost to my old normal life would be worth it.

Nothing prepares you for the physical or mental pain of facing the news that the latest Chemo drugs did not work, the big C got bigger. I was now receiving ‘Palliative care’. I could not be cured. But people still get time, don’t they?

Since December I have faced setback after setback, an emergency stoma operation, 3 rounds of antibiotics for infections, hospital stays to stabilise my condition to even get more chemo. On the 27th January 2022 I received the devastating news that the Big C was invading my lungs, taking over my Liver and squatting around my body. All I can remember is I may only have 8 weeks to live if we can’t get the infections under control and new chemo to work. Just once I want to go to the hospital and not be given another setback.

I am trying to raise 24 thousand pounds to fund 12 rounds of a drug not available on the NHS – Avastin and 24 thousand for Bowl Cancer Research/ Macmillan.

We hope the Avastin will slow the blood vessels around the tumours from growing and give me time. I am not greedy. I wish for time with my wife, children, and friends. I want to make a difference and help others to avoid the situation I am in by funding research, educating and saying thank you to those nurses that support the whole family when your world implodes.

My wife is raising money for Bowl Cancer UK by running the London Marathon this year on her birthday. I really want to be there to support her and raise as much as possible. Can you help us achieve this?

It keeps being said - It should not take a close friend receiving devastating news to push so many people to go and get their symptoms checked. The taboo around Bowl cancer must be challenged and this disease put into remission forever.

Please help with the gift of time, education, and research

Thank you for reading this

Darren

( Always looking for those little moments of joy even in the darkest of days)