HOPE has turned into reality for Warrington mother of two Louise Hulme, who is flying out to America on Monday for surgery to remove a stage four brain tumour, after a fund-raising appeal raised over £75,000 in just over a week.
All going to plan, Louise and her husband Kev, from Fearnhead, Warrington, who launched the fund-raising appeal, will fly to Phoenix this Monday 10th May and Louise will have the operation to remove the tumour on 19th May.
Kev said: “What started out 10 days ago as HOPE for a lifeline has quite literally knocked us over with humility and gratitude.”
Devoted husband Kev launched the fund-raising page to help raise the funds to send his childhood sweetheart and wife of 27 years to the Ivy Brain Tumour Centre in Phoenix, Arizona, with more than £75,000 now raised.
The funds started rolling in after he launched a Go Fundme page entitled “Louise’s Story – Living with Brain Cancer & COVID-19” after using time during lockdown to research her condition.
Although an operation to remove 90 percent of her tumour had been successful her prognosis was 12-14 months, although with her age and fitness in her favour it could be longer.
But in January Kev and their children Charlotte and James received the devasting news that the tumour had grown again and surgery options in the Uk were now exhausted.
During the last 12 months, where most people who are told they have a small life expectancy would have lived life to their maximum and maybe ticked off bucket list dreams, Louise, 46, has been housebound for the majority of time due to COVID-19.
Commenting on the donations Kev added:”From complete strangers inspiring and loving messages making us cry to the generosity of so many, there have been over 1900 donors to date. We have been able to commit to the surgery and trial with the @theivybraintumorcenter
“Friends, family, strangers, we have no words that will do justice to express our thanks. You amazing people raised over £75,000, over half of our target in just 9 days. There’s so much still going on in the background with raffles, auctions & fundraising events across the UK that hopefully we will hit our target before our return date around 12th July.
“I’d like to also pay special thanks to the company & associates I work for and the small businesses going above and beyond and the media outlets that shared our story.
“We will keep you updated on our journey but for now, with tears in our eyes and love in our heart, thank you so very very much.”
Family overwhelmed by response to fundraiser to send Fearnhead mum to USA for brain tumour treatment
