The husband of a woman dying from cancer has launched a desperate appeal to raise £100,000 – so she can make it to Christmas Day.
Musician Ed Cusick, 40, wants to grant wife Nina’s wish of seeing her 21-month-old son, Teddy, unwrap his presents on December 25th.
Mum-of-one Nina, a graphic designer, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February last year, which has spread to her liver and bones.
She is hoping to take part in a new clinical trial next year which could cure her.
But doctors have said that unless the 34-year-old has a constant supply of life-lengthening drug Regorafenib to tide her over until then, she will probably die.
The tablets cost £5,299 for three weeks and could help shrink Nina’s tumour – but after NHS funding for it was scrapped, the family are fast running out of cash.
Ed’s had to stop working so he can be there for Nina and Teddy but the bills continue to flood in, meaning they are strapped for cash.
He launched an appeal to raise £100,000 – enough money to hopefully help Nina start an immunotherapy trial in 2017 and essentials in the meantime.
Above all, donations will allow the family to share special memories – and Nina will get to see the look on Teddy’s face as he dives into his stocking on Christmas Day.
Ed, of Aylesbury, Bucks., said: “I know it’s harder for people to donate close to Christmas coming as money is tight.
“But the only thing I want is to give my wife another chance to be here with me and our son.
“Even if she doesn’t make it to the trial next year she says she just wants to be here to watch him open his stocking on Christmas Day.
“After this fight it’s the very the least my wonderful wife deserves.
“I can’t put into words to you all how this feels. It’s beyond crushing.”
He added: “I’m sorry to have to beg but I simply can’t ever give up as I love her and our son Ted so much.
“So for the sake of my beautiful Nina’s Christmas wish, and also for the future memories and the experience of our little boy Teddy.
“I am having to plead again for help in anyway you possibly can.
“I’m sorry to have to beg but I simply can’t ever give up as I love her and our son Ted so much.
“She is our all.”
Nina was diagnosed with braf mutated bowel cancer in February last year after she suffered excruciating ‘labour pains’ when she had Teddy six weeks early.
After being given the shocking news, she was told she’d be lucky if she lived for six weeks.
But after consulting various experts around the world, she and Ed learned about different treatment options and eventually found out about Regorafenib.
Since January last year, the drug – which seems to be working for Nina and can help shrink tumours – isn’t provided on the NHS and is only available privately.
But Ed has been deemed ineligible for carer’s allowance because they previously raised money through a crowdfunding appeal – cash which is quickly running out.
Though the trial next year would be free, there’s a chance that Nina won’t be accepted, meaning the family could have to fund alternative, expensive medication.
“When she was first diagnosed, they said she would be lucky to be here in six weeks.
“Because we got another opinion and we have got other drugs, we have come 22 months with the memories and experiences.
“In that time, as much as being surrounded by a lot of darkness, these memories are incredible to have.
“It has been very painful, but it has pulled us very close together.”
He added: “Nina is our world, basically.
“Cancer is very sneaky. It really can suddenly switch things round but if we have got a bit of hope to cling onto, they we are going to take it.
“We want to be prepared for everything.”
To donate, visit https://gogetfunding.com/ninas-christmas-wish
