THE family of a young woman who is battling an extremely rare cancer are on a mission to get her to the US for ‘life-saving’ treatment.
Catherine Richards was diagnosed with VIPoma, a rare neuroendocrine cancer, in 2020 and has since received countless treatments at both local hospitals, including Russells Hall, and from experts across the globe as far away as Sweden.
Five years on from her diagnosis, the mum-of-one from Kinver has exhausted her treatment options, apart from what her family have called a “somewhat last resort” programme in Florida at the Jupiter Medical Centre.
Mrs Richards said: “I never imagined I’d be writing this.
“I’m a mum to a beautiful three-year-old little boy who needs me and all I want is to be here to watch him grow up.
“I want to be the best mummy, wife, sister, daughter and friend I can be and to live a long life filled with love.
“As a family, it’s so hard to ask for help, but we’ve reached a point where we truly need it.
“This journey has gone on far too long, and now America is offering me a lifeline that the UK haven’t been able to, a chance I simply have to take.”
According to Cancer Research UK, VIPoma cancers are extremely rare, with less than one person in every million developing a VIPoma every year.
The rarity of the tumour makes it complex and difficult to treat.
Over the years, both through the NHS and at private expense, Mrs Richards has undergone “endless” tests and procedures, has had a peg feed fitted and seen a number of specialists, but to no avail.
Her sister, Charlotte Owens, has set up a GoFundMe to help raise the vital funds the family need to help Ms Richards get to America for the treatment programme.
In her fundraiser, Ms Owens said: “Due to the fact doctors are not able to definitively say whether this cancer is spreading and if so at what rate, this is making the need for treatment more urgent.
“With this, they are acting in the belief there is a high chance it will metastasise, alongside the pressing need for additional critical surgery for an aneurysm that has recently been discovered.
“Doctors have recommended a combination of specialised treatments, advanced medications and life-saving surgeries. But these come at a great cost.
“My sister is the strongest person I know. Everyone who knows her truly adores her.
“She’s always been the first to help others - generous, kind and fiercely devoted to her three-year-old little boy.
“Now she’s in the fight of her life- not just for herself, but for her son, who needs his mom to tuck him in at night, hold him when he’s scared and be there for all the milestones yet to come.”
In just the first two weeks, the GoFundMe has amassed a whopping £16,000 in donations, but this is still less than half of the £40,000 target the family need.
Mrs Richards added: “I’m endlessly grateful for every donation, no matter how big or small.
“You’re not just giving money, you’re giving me hope and precious time.
“The chance to be here for my little boy, to see him grow, laugh and live his life with his mum by his side.”
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