My name is Lee Woodrow, and I am writing to you with an urgent and heartfelt plea. In November 2022, my world was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer. Over the past year and a half, I have fought with everything I have, enduring chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and a stem cell transplant. These treatments have blessed me with a precious period of stable remission, a gift of time that I cherish deeply.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow, which are crucial for our immune system. It causes cancerous cells to accumulate in the bone marrow, leading to bone damage and affecting the body's ability to produce healthy blood cells. In my case, the myeloma metastasized to my spine, causing spinal cord compression. This has resulted in significant mobility issues and constant pain, making everyday tasks a challenge.

However, the clock is ticking. The average prognosis for multiple myeloma patients is around four years, and while some are fortunate to live longer, I am determined to make the most of every moment I have left. My deepest wish is to see my beautiful children, Maggi-Mai and William, grow up. I want to be there for their milestones, to watch them flourish, and to one day meet my grandchildren. I cherish the moments we share, like watching Maggi swim and represent our town or cheering on William as he plays football for our local team. These memories fuel my fight.

My partner, Hayley, has been my rock through this journey. Her unwavering support and love give me strength every day. We dream of a future together, watching our children grow, and sharing countless more moments as a family. The thought of leaving her and our children behind breaks my heart, but it also drives me to seek every possible treatment to stay with them longer.

I am an army veteran who proudly served our country for nine years. In addition to my military service, I have devoted countless hours to volunteering for local sports clubs, including grassroots football and our swimming club. Giving back to my community and supporting young athletes has always been my passion, and I dream of continuing this work for many more years.

But now, I need your help. My best hope for extending my life lies in undergoing another stem cell transplant through the NHS, followed by Car-T Cell Therapy—a groundbreaking treatment that is not yet standard in the UK. Car-T Cell Therapy has shown remarkable success in other countries, offering a real chance to prolong my life by harnessing my own immune system to fight the cancer. However, this cutting-edge treatment, along with the associated costs of travel, accommodation, and ongoing care, comes with a staggering total cost of £450,000.

You can read how a Pharmaceutical company halts access to CAR-T cell treatment for UK myeloma patients here: https://www.myeloma.org.uk/news/pharmaceutical-company-halts-access-to-car-t-cell-treatment-for-uk-myeloma-patients/

Time is not on my side, and I am racing against the clock to raise the necessary funds. Your support can make an unimaginable difference. Please, consider donating to my JustGiving page and sharing my story with your friends and family. Together, we can create more time, more memories, and more life.

I promise to keep you updated on my journey and the impact of your contributions. Your generosity means the world to me, and I plan to honor your support by sharing our progress every step of the way. If you wish, I would love to recognize your kindness publicly, creating a thank-you wall to celebrate those who are helping me fight for my future.

With deepest gratitude, Lee & Family x