Last November, mother of 4, Louisa French, was diagnosed with acromegaly – a condition where the body produces too much growth hormone cause by a tumour on the pituitary gland.

Louisa needs a life-saving operation to remove the tumour at the base of her brain – but shockingly this has been repeatedly cancelled due to lack of beds. In fact, Louisa’s operation has been cancelled five times - and on three occasions she fasted, went to hospital where she was prepared for the operation, signed the consent form, only to be sent home due to other emergencies taking priority. Her four children aged 8, 11, 14 and 17 are bewildered and upset that their mother needs the operation, goes to hospital for it, and has come back untreated.

As the tumour sits on the pituitary gland, Louisa is also suffering alarming side effects including growth of her bones. She can no longer chew or speak properly because her jaw has grown so much, her hands and feet hurt because they have grown so large and she has also been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes - another effect of the growing tumour. These symptoms are all preventable with an operation.

Now, 49-year-old care worker, Louisa from West Sussex, has been offered the treatment privately by one of the UK’s leading specialists in the area, but needs to raise £10,000 for the operation and essential after care.

Louisa’s family is turning to the generosity of JustGiving donators for financial assistance which could help to save her life. Any donations that could help Louisa benefit from this treatment would be much appreciated. Thank you for your kind contributions.