SOOO here goes our story.

A few people may know that my dad has been unwell the past year and a half

8 Years ago my dad went to go and get an eye test due to his vision was getting bad & could see flashing in his peripheral vision.

The optician told dad in the eye test they could see a tumour behind the eye.

We was sent to Peterborough hospital as an urgent appointment where we was told the tumour behind the eye was indeed cancerous and he was diagnosed with Ocular melanoma.

With this condition being very rare dad was sent to Sheffield eye hospital to under go radiation of the eye which we was told was successful!

Fast forward to Oct last year we started to notice dad losing weight and he had said he didn’t feel quite right he also had a lump come up on his neck.

When sent to the doctors he was given an ultrasound scan which came back clear (unsure why) + a blood test. Due to dad being an ex cancer patient we was also referred to the Peterborough head and neck department and the doctor ordered MRI Scans so the hospital had everything they needed ready to see dad.

It was then our worst fears were confirmed.

The scan came back with a 6cm mass in the lung, Lymph nodes and a few other places (we would like to not go into to much detail)

He was diagnosed with metastatic ocular melanoma

Dad underwent 4 rounds of IPI Nivo (with horrible side affects) and like the true warrior he is took it like a champ.

Due to treatment options being very limited for this cancer we was made aware that he could make it in for a treatment called tebentafusp. The pharmaceutical company were funding this and it was up for review by NICE whether the NHS would take this on.

Unfortunately the NHS did not take the treatment but luckily for dad we made it in for the treatment the day before it was up for review and anyone who qualified (HLA + GENE) got to stay on the trial whilst it was deemed to be successful.

This treatment is still available but anyone diagnosed with Metastatic ocular melanoma have to pay for this privately and it is very costly.

Dad did the treatment and coped very well, side affects of the treatment made him loose the pigment in all his hair eye lashes and eyebrows so he has gone from jet black to white now !!!

Dad received the treatment in May but the hospital pulled it in MARCH.

We are now awaiting a clinical trial.

My dad has had a very rough time of it lately but has turned up and fought every step of the way . I am incredibly proud of the strength and courage he has shown in fighting back at this horrible disease.

We have had incredible support from a Charity called OCUMEL UK who has been on hand when ever we have needed advise.

My brother Lewis & I was speaking about this and we would like to give something back-

On Friday 3rd May My brother Lewis will be doing a run -

5 k every 4 hours for 24 hours

1700, 2100,0100,0500,0900,1300

to raise money for OCUMEL UK + raise awareness regarding this awful disease.

I will be cheering you on from the sidelines big bro and we love you lots.

Any donation no matter how big or small would be greatly appreciated.

Please remember to get yours & your loved ones eye’s tested. It could save your life!

Lots of Love,

Summer Leckie + FAMILY xxxxx