Family’s bid to raise £20,000 for treatment for Bethnal Green man given months to live
Alan Hawley with five-year-old daughter Freya. Picture: Hayley Collins - Credit: Archant
Friends and family of a man from Bethnal Green given just 10 months to live are trying to raise £20,000 for cutting edge brain therapy.
Alan Hawley, 36, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2010. Soon after, he developed liver cancer.
After nine months of chemotherapy and an operation in which he had part of his liver removed, he was given the all clear.
After a panic attack in 2014, one year after his daughter Freya was born, he was sent for a brain scan.
“They found a brain tumour and gave him 10 years to live,” said Alan’s sister Hayley Collins.
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“But it’s been growing much faster than they thought and a recent scan said he had about 10 months, maybe a year.”
Because of his previous chemotherapy treatment, doctors told Alan, of Cyprus Street, there was nothing they could do.
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Hayley said: “The treatment we’re trying to raise money for is called immunotherapy, which makes your immune system fight the cancer off. I found out about it from a friend who saw it on This Morning.”
Treatment at the Hallwang Clinic in south Germany could save Alan’s life, but initial costs are £20,000.
The family aren’t sure how much treatment will cost in total, nor how long it will take.
Last week, Alan’s niece set up a gofundme page to gather funds. In three days, they’d raised more than £2,000.
Alan’s friend Kelly Coyle, who’s been promoting the page, said: “We’ve managed to raise about £2,000, which is a lot, but it’s sort of coming to a standstill, and there’s still £18,000 to go. That’s a lot for people who haven’t got a lot.”
Hayley, who lives in Bow, said: “Obviously it’s been hard, and he was a bit shocked, but Alan’s not one to sit and wallow. Even through the illness, he’s not let it get to him.”
Fundraising efforts are continuing with cakes sales and raffles at Hayley’s son’s school, and a 1920s night at Loughton rugby club at the end of March.
To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/alans-treatment-fund.
