Money rolls in to ‘beam’ cancer mum to US

Andrea Dawson

More than £3,000 has been raised in a quest to send a mum-of-four to America for a life saving operation.

Andrea Dawson (37) was diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer that has affected cartilage in her skull, in June.

As proton beam therapy, the treatment required to remove part of her tumour, is unavailable in the UK, Andrea was told she would travel to Switzerland for the gruelling procedure. But as the clinic has now said they can’t fit her in, she’ll instead travel to Oklahoma with her partner Chris.

Friends began collecting back in March, and continue to organise fund-raising events

Although her £90,000 treatment cost will be paid by the NHS, Andrea and Chris need money to cover living costs for the nine to 12 weeks they will stay in America and to ensure the upkeep of their home in Middleton; their children won’t travel with them, but will be cared for by family and friends.

Anything left over from fundraising after her treatment will be put towards a new proton therapy centre at Manchester’s Christie Hospital, expected to open in 2017.

Information on the appeal is available at Support for Andrea on Facebook.