A mum-of-two diagnosed with a highly aggressive brain cancer is on a mission to raise money for Salford Royal to help others.
Polly Bamber, pictured-left, is in the midst of intense chemotherapy following her terminal cancer diagnosis aged just 39.
She said: “I want to help the Salford Royal and the Salford Christie because the treatment they’ve given me is absolutely fantastic.
“I couldn’t wish for a better place to go.”
The 40-year-old is mum to Andrew, 20, and Abi, 14 and used to be a support worker helping people with disabilities.
But tragedy struck last summer when Polly, who previously had no symptoms, suddenly lost the use of her arm one afternoon.
Months later, doctors broke the devastating news that she had terminal cancer – and may only have a year to live.
She said: “I was at work and I kept getting numbness in my arm and didn’t think nothing of it.
“Then one day the whole left hand side of my body went numb – It looked like I’d had a stroke.
“I told my boss I’m going to have to go to the hospital.”
I am raising money for Funeral help / raise money for salford neuro fund. Click to Donate: https://t.co/IopSpeZyx5 via @gofundme
— polly bamber (@polly_bamber) November 13, 2019
Doctors initially thought Polly had suffered a stroke but tests found a shadow on her brain and a swelling. This led to her being treated for encephalitis at Wigan Infirmary.
But it was only when she was referred to Salford Royal Hospital that she underwent brain surgery.
After that, she received the devastating news she had grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme, and would be terminal.
The facts
Since becoming unwell Polly has had several operations with the hope of extending her life.
She said: “My wife had to come out of work when I was on chemotherapy because it knocked me really ill.
“I didn’t eat, I was just sleeping all the time and couldn’t drink anything, it was awful.”
However, she is determined to make the most of the time she has left and hopes to use her experience as a source of hope for others.
“I’ve not been negative at all, it can go and jog on it’s not beating me.
“If you think negative that’s when it’s got you”
Polly recently tied the knot with her partner Janine back in August which had been on her bucket list.
She has now decided to raise money to help other people affected by brain tumors.
“I want to raise money for the Salford Neuro fund as the surgeon there was amazing – he’s operated on my head twice.”
Raising awareness of brain cancer
Glioblastoma Multiforme is the most common type of malignant brain tumor.
2,200 cases diagnosed each year in the UK, 900 of which are women, according to the NHS.
Polly hopes her story can help raise more awareness of the disease and says it is not as well- known as other forms of cancers.
“When you look at the adverts on the TV, they do prostate cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer.
“\you never see anything for brain cancer, or brain tumors, nothing –it’s very rare and far between.
“But if they did raise awareness it could help more people. I didn’t know at the time – I thought I was having a stroke.”
How you can help Polly’s family
Polly has set up a GoFundMe Page aimed at collecting £5000 for the Salford Neuro Oncology Fund and to help out with funeral costs
Anyone wanting to support Polly and her family can do so by donating to the page by clicking here.
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