York mum hopes tumour treatment abroad will extend her life

A mum-of-two with terminal cancer is raising funds to travel abroad for treatment not available on the NHS.

Emma Ward, 47, was diagnosed with a grade-four brain tumour in March and has already undergone surgery and chemotherapy.

With her treatment due to end in January, she aims to raise £150,000 to receive immunotherapy in Germany to shrink the tumour and extend her life.

Mrs Ward, from York, said she hoped it could give her “more precious years as a mum to my girls and a wife to my husband, Dan”.

“I’ve got a lot to live for and a lot to give still, I can’t just leave my future to chance when there is a real opportunity and a solution to my cancer,” she said.

With family, friends and work colleagues rallying around her, Mrs Ward has raised more than £80,000 towards her treatment in less than a week.

“People have been so kind, particularly at this time of year, which I know is a real challenge for people,” she said.

Mrs Ward first started having symptoms in February and was diagnosed as likely having a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), which causes stroke-like symptoms.

When it happened again in March, a scan revealed she had a grade-four brain tumour and surgery was needed to remove as much of it as possible.

“It was quite close to some nerves so I had to be awake through that procedure, which was interesting,” Mrs Ward said.

“After that, I went on to have radiotherapy, 30 sessions in Hull and chemotherapy delivered at the same time.”

Although chemotherapy does not work particularly well for Mrs Ward’s type of tumour, she said she had been feeling well in herself.

“I’m actually back at work, just working mornings to keep me busy really, and keep me occupied now that the kids are back at school,” said Mrs Ward, who works at Nestle.

Despite treatment, she was given just 12 to 15 months to live from diagnosis.

“People have been really supportive in terms of me taking the next steps, which is hopefully getting to Germany for some treatment which isn’t offered on the NHS in the UK,” Mrs Ward said.

“It’s not in my nature to sit down and do nothing and I’ve got two daughters.

“I just want to live for as long as possible and to be there for my husband and my family and my children and this is a solution that will hopefully provide that for me.”

She has planned a huge family Christmas and hopes to travel to Germany in January or February.