Fundraiser started for University of South Wales grad battling rare and aggressive cancer

A fundraiser has been set up for a University of South Wales graduate who’s been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer and is fighting for his life.

Josh Carter-Hewins, 27, was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes and is a cancer of the lymphatic system, in June this year and now his family have started the fundraiser to raise money for his lifesaving treatment.

In 2021, Josh was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease and then later diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a chronic liver disease, for which he underwent a liver transplant in 2022.

Josh, who was nearly at the end of intensive chemotherapy, was told by consultants that his chemotherapy was no longer working and that the cancer was spreading. To keep the fight alive alternative treatments were found. However, despite efforts from consultants Josh was informed he was not eligible for this treatment on the NHS.

Therefore, his family did their own research and found an alternative treatment in the form of two potential drugs. As these are not funded through the NHS, his family have estimated the costs of the drugs at around £50,000 or more.

To help raise enough money for Josh’s treatment, his wife and family have started a Go Fund Me.

Speaking with Wales Online, Josh’s wife Beth Carter-Hewins, said: “Josh is probably the bravest, most selfless, amazing person I have ever known. He would do anything for anybody, in fact, what he’s going through now – he’s not even thinking about himself, he’s thinking about other people.

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“He’s one of a kind. I know I’m biased because I’m his wife, but I’m sure anyone who has ever crossed paths with him would say the same thing as well.”

Within days the fundraiser had received over £15,000 with 200 contributions and at the time of writing this the page has so far raised £77,145 with 3.1k donations.

On the 7th of November, an incredible and rare update was posted to Josh’s Go Fund Me page by Beth that the drug company, Roche, had gifted one of the drugs essential to Josh’s fight, Glofitiomab, on compassionate grounds. The success of the drug is not guaranteed but there is hope.

However, this gift does not include the second drug Polituzmab Vedotin or any other further private treatment Josh may need. Also, the family need to relocate to London for five to 12 months for this drug to be administered.

In the update posted to Go Fund Me, Beth wrote: “We have received some unbelievable news. The drug company, Roche, is going to gift Josh one of the drugs, Glofitiomab on compassionate grounds… This is a huge shock and all thanks to your support, media coverage and some incredible doctors we have reached out to and who have been fighting for Josh behind the scenes.”

She added: “The donations will still be used to support his treatment and other potential options if they become available, therefore fundraisers are still encouraged, even if that just means spreading the word, Josh’s story and bringing light to the Burkitt’s lymphoma community.

“The nature of this journey has been so incredibly un-predictable and through your generosity and continued support we have hope. Josh is NOT ready to give up.

“We want to be completely transparent with you all as we gather more information and navigate the next few days. We will keep you posted as we go. Thank you so much to all of you for giving us this chance and giving us hope. Burkitt’s lymphoma must not be forgotten or excluded, we’re fighting for the future of Burkitt’s.️”

Despite this gift, donations are still needed to help raise enough money for Josh’s treatment. To donate follow this link here.

Feature image credit: Go Fund Me