Family continues to fundraise as Wellingborough man diagnosed with incurable cancer prepares for eighth round of treatment in Germany

This was after 48-year-old Paul, who worked in security at Wellingborough’s Swansgate Shopping Centre for many years, was diagnosed with advanced tonsil cancer.

But family and friends have been rallying round to fund specialist treatment in Germany that could help slow the progression of Paul’s cancer and improve his quality of life.

Paul has just completed his seventh trip to Germany this year for treatment with Professor Vogl and the family has returned with hope.

Paul’s wife Melissa King told the Northants Telegraph: “When we were given the devastating news back in January that Paul’s cancer was incurable and that he may only have a couple of months, I honestly couldn't imagine what the months ahead were going to look like.

"At that point we were just desperately searching for anything that might give Paul another option so to now be sitting here in August, seven months later, with Paul still here, still fighting and still receiving treatment feels incredibly significant to us.

"Most importantly, the treatment in Germany is working.

"Paul’s tumour has been reducing and his scans have continued to show no new lesions.

"We know that Paul still has a very serious and incurable cancer and we are under no illusions about that, but after being given such a devastating prognosis at the beginning of the year, being told that his tumour is actually reducing has given us something we desperately needed – hope.”

‘Paul has been through an unbelievable amount to get this far’

The people of Wellingborough have really come together to support Paul and his family and this has meant so much to them, but they really need people to keep supporting them as the fundraising continues.

Melissa said: “I really want people to understand about why we keep travelling to Germany and why we keep fundraising.

"We aren't simply travelling backwards and forwards hoping something might happen. We are seeing a response.

"The tumour that we were so frightened of in January has reduced with treatment and Professor Vogl continues to believe there is reason to treat Paul.

"For our family, every bit of reduction and every scan showing no new lesions feels like another little victory.

"Paul has been through an unbelievable amount to get this far.

"His life is very different now and cancer has taken away so many things that most of us don't even think twice about.

“Treatment isn't easy on him either, but somehow he continues to find the strength to get on another plane, go through another procedure and keep fighting.

"I am incredibly proud of him. When I look at everything he has endured since January and then remember that we were told we might only have a couple of months with him, the fact that he is still here with us means more than I could ever properly put into words.

"One thing that can sometimes be misunderstood is that there isn't a set number of these treatments and then Paul is simply finished.

"His treatment is ongoing. Professor Vogl continues to assess him and his cancer and decides when he needs to return for another procedure.

"The aim is to keep targeting the tumour and, while Paul continues to respond and Professor Vogl feels there is benefit in treating him, we want to give him every possible opportunity to continue.”

Looking ahead

With Paul's next treatment date in September, Paul’s family and friends are now focused on getting him back to Frankfurt.

Melissa said: “Every trip means finding the money for Paul's treatment as well as flights, accommodation and all the other costs involved in repeatedly travelling abroad for cancer care.

"We have somehow managed to do it seven times, largely because of the incredible generosity of people who have donated, supported our fundraisers, given us prizes, shared Paul's story and helped us every time we have found ourselves needing to make that journey again.

"The thought that weighs on me now is knowing that we have found a treatment that is helping Paul and reducing his tumour, but we have to keep finding the money for him to access it.

"I can't bear the thought of getting this far, seeing that the treatment is having an effect and then money being the reason that we can't get him back there.

"As long as Paul is willing and able to keep fighting, and Professor Vogl is willing to continue treating him, I will do everything I possibly can to find a way.”

How you can help

Melissa has vowed to keep fundraising and they are already collecting donations for their next fundraiser.

She said: “We particularly need unopened bottles of alcohol, toiletries, perfumes, gift sets and other suitable tombola prizes.

"We are also incredibly grateful to Swansgate Shopping Centre, who are helping us with the collection.

"Anyone who would like to donate can drop items off at the Swansgate Centre management office so people don't need to wait until our next fundraiser to help.

"We are collecting now and every single item donated will help us start building the prizes we need to raise the money for Paul's next treatment.

"I'm also more than happy to collect donations locally from anyone who isn't able to get to Swansgate.

"Even if somebody only has one bottle or one gift set they would like to give, I would be incredibly grateful.

"People might look at one donated bottle and think it isn't much, but I have seen first-hand what happens when a whole community does that.

"One bottle becomes ten, ten become fifty, and eventually we have enough prizes to put together a fundraising stall.

"Those stalls raise the money that pays towards another treatment and another journey to Frankfurt.

"Every donation really does become part of something much bigger.”

‘Overwhelming’ support from the people of Wellingborough

The Wellingborough community really has been there for the family this year and Melissa can’t thank them enough.

She said: “The local support we have received throughout Paul's illness has honestly been overwhelming.

"There are people who have never met Paul who have donated, shared his story or come along to our fundraisers because they want to help us keep him fighting.

"I wish I could make everyone who has supported us realise what they have helped us achieve.

"Together, people have helped us get Paul to Germany seven times this year. Seven opportunities to continue treatment that we simply would not have been able to fund alone.

"Seven months after we were told we may only have a couple of months, Paul is still here.

"His tumour has reduced. There have been no new lesions on his scans, and he has been given another opportunity to continue treatment.

"We don't know what the future holds and we don't try to pretend that we do.

"We've learned to take this journey one treatment, one trip and one day at a time.

"But while the treatment is helping Paul and that door in Germany remains open to him, we are going to do everything we possibly can to keep walking through it.

"Right now that means one thing – getting Paul back to Frankfurt in September for treatment number eight.”

Any donations can be taken to the Swansgate Centre management office.

The GoFundMe is also still ongoing if people wish to donate there – click here for the link.