Fundraiser for Frances's Pancreatic Cancer surgery

Aim

I'm raising money for radical, life-extending surgery in the US that isn't available in the UK.

I am a violinist in the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Mum to two beautiful daughters. I recently married my wonderful partner Freddie.

In January 2018, I was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. This brutal disease rarely has symptoms and is often misdiagnosed until it's too late.

I was fortunate and within three weeks of diagnosis, underwent extensive surgery to remove the tumour. That was successful and I started adjuvant chemo over the summer. I did not tolerate the combination of drugs very well, so after six months I had a check up scan which unfortunately showed that the cancer had returned in the Ovaries and spots in the peritoneum. I am now classed as Stage 4, terminal, and the prognosis is poor.

I continued with a different chemo, but following my latest scan in February discovered that this also wasn't working. All the tumours have grown.

Having researched and given much thought to the options, I have decided on radical surgery in the US which could very well buy me more time. In essence, the surgery offered would alongside removal of the larger tumours, aim to treat any visible disease with the Nanoknife IRE procedure. Whilst there are no claims that this will be a curative procedure, it has a high success rate at keeping the cancer in check for longer when combined with chemotherapy and other treatments.  It is not, however currently available in the UK for metastatic  Pancreatic Cancer.

If I can raise the funds, I hope to have the operation as soon as I can. More than anything I want to have more time with my lovely daughters, with Freddie, and with my family and friends. 

I know so many of you have already been incredibly generous in helping with concerts and events to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK, so there is no pressure here. And you can rest assured I am doing everything I can to raise funds through other channels (and that that will be reflected in the total here).

Anyway, whatever you can do, no matter how small, will be received with love and gratitude.

This project successfully funded on 12th April 2019