The next step in the fund raising campaign to help get the appropriate cancer drug treatment for trombonist Stephen Sykes has already got off to a brilliant start
Not only has there been a wonderful response to the DKMS Blood Cancer 'Swab for Sykes' campaign, which has seen well over 1,000 bandsman and women send off their cotton wool buds in the post to see if they could be a possible stem cell match to him and others, but over £24,000 has already been pledged on a special 'Save Stephen' Gofundme.com initiative.
New drug
As people know, Stephen was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in February 2016 and has since undergone six unsuccessful strands of different chemo therapies.
His consultants now give the hope of reducing the cancer by receiving a life-saving stem cell transplant and to treat him with a new drug called a PD1 blocker.
Unfortunately, the cost of the drug is above the NHS funding threshold and so the latest initiative has been set up to raise the funds.
Battling
Stephen's mum Joanne told 4BR: "The response so far for both the DKMS campaign and this new appeal has been staggering. We cannot thank people enough. If people can give what they can we will be forever grateful.
Stephen is overcoming an infection at the moment, but is full of optimism and his usual wit. It is a battle we are all determined to win together."
Stephen is overcoming an infection at the moment, but is full of optimism and his usual wit. It is a battle we are all determined to win togetherJoanne Sykes
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