Students at the University of Surrey in Guildford have raised thousands of pounds to help fund a father's life-prolonging cancer treatment by throwing a massive party. The event, dubbed 'Get Hammered For Charity', saw nearly 1,100 students attend and raise £6,000 for Simon Hollister, a 54-year-old father of two diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Simon's Battle
Simon Hollister was diagnosed with glioblastoma last year after paying for a brain scan when he noticed concerning symptoms. Doctors told him the average survival time is between 12 and 18 months, but he is determined to fight. He needs to fund Avastin, a powerful treatment that could extend his life by up to five years, costing around £80,000 per round. The NHS cannot help as only one per cent of cancer funding is directed toward brain tumours.
Student Support
Simon's son Raphael's friends at the University of Surrey organised the event at the Rubix venue. Simon was not allowed to attend because he was deemed 'too old', but he expressed his gratitude: 'I can't thank them enough, it's so touching and the fact almost 1,100 students turned up and contributed was amazing.' A second event, 'Part Deux', is planned for September.
Fundraising Goal
Simon has set up a GoFundMe page and has already raised £37,000 from people worldwide. He needs £40,000 more to complete his first private treatment, which he hopes will buy him at least a year with his family. His ultimate goal is to see his youngest son turn 21 in 2031.
Call for Action
Simon is calling on the government to dedicate more resources to glioblastoma research. 'Only one per cent of funding toward brain tumours goes towards glioblastoma, that's not enough,' he said. 'In the UK, 3,200 are officially diagnosed every year. More needs to be done to raise awareness.'
Despite his diagnosis, Simon remains positive: 'A smile helps you, and it helps the people around you - and I'm pretty sure it extends your life.'
