John Robertson, 35, from Ayr, is facing the fight of his life after being diagnosed with stage 4 oesophageal cancer. In June, the father of three was told he has a prognosis of just nine to 10 months. His wife Nicole is now appealing for support to a fundraiser that could help prolong his life.
Fundraiser for John
A special fundraiser will be held at the Carrick Centre in Maybole on Saturday, August 29, from 1pm to 3pm. Funds raised will help the family explore every treatment option and clinical trial available. The event will feature live music, a buffet, prizes, and more. Those unable to attend are encouraged to donate prizes such as gift cards, vouchers, or help in kind, with a particular welcome for a children's entertainer or face painter.
Family's plea
Nicole, who has been with John for 11 years, said: "John is just 35 years-old and a dad to three beautiful children. He is currently fighting stage 4 Oesophageal cancer and, in June this year, we were given the devastating news that he has a prognosis of just nine to 10 months. We are fund raising to help him access private treatment and explore every possible treatment option available to us."
She added: "This means absolutely everything to our family. John is a young dad with three children, Jorja, 15, Paris-Cole, 8, and Clay-Ty, 4. And we are determined to explore every avenue available to give him the best possible chance."
Treatment options
A GoFundMe page has been set up with a target of £100,000, and nearly £25,000 has been raised so far. One option for John is a course of treatment in Germany, and the family is also in contact with a London-based oncologist. John is waiting to hear about a potential trial treatment in Dublin.
John, a former French polisher, said on his GoFundMe update: "I received word back from the clinic in Germany, and I have also met with a private oncologist in London and awaiting to hear back from him after he speaks to a surgeon. Well regarded within his field. He is also going to get a second opinion on my imaging from a radiologist as he feels the reports from my original CT scan are questionable.
"He told me that there is a few options that I have that they could offer in England and it is far more hopeful with what I have been currently offered in Scotland. Whilst there, he said that this could be operable and treatable with different protocols, this has added fuel to my fire in this fight.
"The NHS have put me on palliative care from the beginning and I refuse to accept this, which has led me down the road to seek further opinions, which I feel hopeful was the correct decision. I will continue to update as I find out more information."
He added: "Thank you again for all of your support. My fight is only just beginning but after recent discussions with said private care, I am feeling far more hopeful and motivated to keep the fight going strong."
Race against time
Nicole said: "John is holding up okay but obviously it's really tough. It's a race against time, really. We're now at seven months, going by the diagnosis. He's had two rounds of chemotherapy, so far. Now they have upped the dose and he's been feeling a bit more tired and run down. And when it comes to trying to get treatment elsewhere, there's lot more to it than people think.
"We are now doing everything we possibly can to give John the best chance of more time with his family."
To find out more about the Carrick Centre fundraiser, telephone 07383 465 363. To donate to John's GoFundMe page, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-john-in-his-fight.
