'I have cancer and am asking for help to give me more precious time'

"Up until now, she had felt she had hit a brick wall. The NHS don't always tell you about all the different things you can have done”

A Rotherham family and local well-wishers are raising thousands of pounds for potentially life-saving treatment for cancer patient Gemma Smith.

Gemma Smith, in the middle, with Becky on left and and their other sister Kym | ugc

placeholder image — Gemma Smith, in the middle, with Becky on left and and their other sister Kym | ugc

They are seeking an initial £20,000 to provide a treatment that delivers chemotherapy to a liver tumour.

Relatives and friends of Gemma, aged 45, are planning a series of events to finance Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment, knowing costs could triple if cancer is not stopped after the first application.

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However former Badsley Primary and Oakwood High School pupil Gemma is determined to battle on, with people in her native Herringthorpe getting behind her.

The mum and businesswoman is fighting cancer in her breast, hip and liver.

She feels TACE gives her an option for treating the cancer in her liver, by cutting off its blood supply. However she hasn't been able to secure it on the NHS and is now looking to privately fund it; with a hospital in Frankfurt, Germany appearing to be the most likely place for her.

Gemma's sister Becky Wilson, 43, from East Dene, said: "She has had breast cancer for years, she was devastated at first - and it went into her bones and she had to have her hip replaced.

"Her hip has crumbled again and it is now in her liver.

"But she is a fighter. She has researched all the treatments possible and a London specialist now agrees with her that TACE is what she needs moving forward. She many need two or three lots.

"Up until now, she had felt she had hit a brick wall. The NHS don't always tell you about all the different things you can have done. But she is putting on a brave face and will not quit."

Gemma, who used to work at Rotherham Titans and has a son Jack, 24 and a husband Steve, has launched a GoFundMe page to help pay for the treatment.

She wrote: "I’m living with stage 4 breast cancer, which has spread to other parts of my body, including my liver.

"I’ve been through a lot of treatment already, and I’m incredibly grateful for every bit of care I’ve received. But I’m now looking at another option: TACE.

"TACE works by delivering chemotherapy straight to the blood vessels supplying the liver tumours, while also reducing their blood supply.

"My hope is that this treatment could help get better control of the cancer in my liver and give me more precious time doing the things that matter to me.

"Unfortunately, accessing this treatment privately comes at a significant cost, which is why I’m doing something I never imagined I’d have to do - asking for help."

She added: "Asking for money doesn’t come naturally to me at all. But cancer has a horrible way of taking choices away from you, and if there is a treatment available that may help me, I want to give myself the opportunity to try it.

“The money raised will go towards the cost of the TACE treatment and the associated private medical care."

She has raised more than £9,600 in one week.

Part of the fundraising is a 26-mile marathon walk from Gemma's farm shop in Styrrup to The Tabard in Rotherham, on September 19.

Teaching assistant Becky, 43, from East Dene organised the walk, which will have a cowgirl theme to it.

There will also be another event at East Dene Social Club on October 16.

"Gemma puts everybody and everything first. She loves horses, even when she is ill she will always provide sanctuary for an horse that is being ill-treated" said Becky.

"So we will be wearing cowgirl hats for the event! We are just hoping and praying we make enough money to help.

"The community in Rotherham and Doncaster have really pulled together. We have been blown away by everybody's kindness."

Visit the GoFundMe page here to donate.