A fundraiser gig is taking place On March 24th in McHughs Venue to help pay for treatment for Drogheda woman Tracy Verblis (nee Reynolds) who, in May of last year, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and given a maximum 18 months to live.
Tracy has an aggressive cancer called Glioblastoma Multiforme which is known as the ‘terminator’ because it has a typical survival time following diagnosis of only 10 to 13 months and fewer than 3% of patients surviving longer than five years.
Tracy underwent brain surgery last May and, while the operation went well, the aggressive nature of this cancer means that microscopic cancer cells will inevitably recur, as sadly there is currently no known scientific cure for this devastating illness.
Tracy is a fighter though, and she is determined to become one of the rare ‘long term’ survivors of this disease.
After six weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in Bristol, Tracy and her family returned to Ireland in August 2022 to continue her treatment and to be closer to her family for support as she continues with her battle against this disease.
Tracy is now on a mission to undertake dendritic cell therapies that target the tumour directly with her own immune system. This treatment has seen some success in doubling or even tripling the life expectancies in Glioblastoma patients.
This ground-breaking treatment is now available privately in the UK. It’s called DCVAX-L and is a new type of dendritic cell immunotherapy. A personalised vaccine made from each patient’s own dendritic cells.
Tracy is the perfect candidate for this treatment and is now on a mission to fundraise the finances required to have this treatment so that she can spend as many years as she can with her five-year-old son and family.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help raise the vital finances needed to cover the cost of the treatment. Along with this, there are many ongoing fundraising initiatives such as spinathons, pilates, quiz night, sponsored walks etc.
With over €70K already raised Tracy is now in a position to move forward and get blood work undertaken in London by specialist doctors. However, to move past this point, they need to also focus on reaching 150K as soon as possible to get the initial six injections manufactured and administered as soon as possible to have the best effect.
Tracy’s family and friends are running a Fundraiser event with live music and raffle on the 24th of March to help efforts in raising funds. Tickets cost €20 each and are on sale in McHughs Venue and Stockwell Artisan Cafe and also online through eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fundraiser-for-tracy-tickets-544626461407
Tracy and her family would like to thank all the friends, family, colleagues, supporters and kind strangers who have helped support this cause and help get them to where they are now. The support has been amazing and the Drogheda community spirit has really shone through.
If you can’t make the McHughs gig you can donate onliine at the special GoFundMe Page.
