Woman from Wellingborough village with 'terminal' cancer fundraising for life-saving Mexican stem cell treatment

A woman who has been living with Stage 4 bone cancer for nearly two years has launched an appeal to try to access a life-saving medical treatment not available on the NHS.

Julia Lee was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 while she was working for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue service.

After treatment including chemo and radiotherapy her cancer returned spreading into her bones, but Julia is prepared to fly nearly 9,000 miles to fight it.

She said: "The NHS has said it is terminal. The only hope I have got is to find treatment abroad. It's a fantastic opportunity.

"During Christmas 2018, I nearly died from Stage 4 cancer. The National Health Service helped bring me back from the brink and for that I am truly grateful.

"I'm blessed to be on some medications, but sadly, the treatments I am receiving have been ineffective in ridding my body of cancer and the side effects can be debilitating.

"I'm not a quitter though, and I have researched diligently to find proven therapies that work. I cannot handle toxic treatments.

"The radiation treatment itself caused paralysis to one side of my face and other nasty side effects which put me in hospital for nearly two weeks.

"Unfortunately, my body is fragile and won't make it through the harsh side effects of chemotherapy."

Julia has set up a fundraiser on Go Fund Me page to raise the £35,000 needed to pay for her 28-day autologous bone marrow stem cell transplant and autologous dendritic cell therapy in CMN Hospital in Sonora, Mexico.

The cost of her treatment includes all the various therapies and medicines as well as her aftercare and 1:1 Skype consultations once back home.

Now in her forties, to concentrate on fighting her cancer Julia gave up her job, sold her house and moved back into her parents village home in the borough of Wellingborough.

Supported by her parents, mum and dad Barbara and Robert Lee have been raising money to help their daughter achieve her goal.

In an open letter letter to her daughter mum Barbara wrote: "Julia, what a kind and caring daughter you are. Your love and time spent helping other people with their cancer while walking your journey are commendable.

"When your health returns, I know you will dedicate yourself to helping people even more who are in the same situation you are going through right now. You have a great deal of empathy in how you understand what they feel.

"Julia, you've done everything possible to help yourself within your budget, but now you are at a crossroads, needing more money than both you and our family can afford to get the life-saving treatment you so urgently need. Unfortunately, we do not have the funds, and we all know you deserve and need help.

"Julia, you are a bright force of light, and I love how you express it in so many ways.

She added: "You have endearingly proven your dedication to helping others and doing good in your life. I hope that together we can do the same for you and help you with a most worthy goal: fighting to live."

The fundaising page has reached more than £19,000 in three weeks boosted by family, friends and villagers.

Julia said: "II literally believe in miracles. I'm praying. I do have faith and I believe in God - not the go to church type - but I believe in an energy. I pray to God every night.

"I just believe it's possible and that there's always a way.

"I have a fire in me. I don't feel I'm on my last legs. I'm tired by I have a lifeforce energy otherwise I wouldn't be doing this."

Julia is looking to the future and would like to coach people who are going through cancer.

She added: "I've got a strong mind. If I could be an inspiration to others sharing information and what I know when I come through this."

To donate to Julia's fundraising page click here .

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