Cullen youth worker given hope in battle with bone cancer after £19,000 donation
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AN 'unbelievable' £19,000 donation has given a Moray youth worker hope as she continues her battle with bone cancer.
Beth Oxley (38), who lives near Cullen, was diagnosed with an incredibly rare form of the disease in October last year after she fell at work.
Multiple rounds of brutal chemotherapy and the removal of her left femur was less than five per cent effective in combating the cancer.
However, a treatment known as Dentric Cell Therapy in Germany could hold the key to saving Beth's life after all options available on the NHS were exhausted.
As featured in last week's Banffshire Advertiser, Mike Emeny, Beth's partner of 10 years, launched a fundraiser to cover the £38,000 cost of the treatment.
On Tuesday, the fundraiser had accumulated just under £19,000. However, Mike and Beth awoke the following day to find that their target had been met after someone donated £19,135.
"Beth was actually physically sick when she saw that," Mike said.
"It's been a nightmare but this is such a boost and it gives us something to cling onto.
"I went to bed and the fundraiser was on just over £18,500. To wake up and see that the full amount has been raised is unbelievable to be honest.
"I had been looking into getting loans and things like that so this takes such a huge pressure off us."
Mike says that the donation was made by an old friend who no longer lives in the UK.
He had an emotional video call with them on Wednesday but adds that he is grateful for every one of the 319 donations the fundraiser has received.
"We don't want to to take away from the £5 donations because they have all been vital in getting us to our target," Mike said.
"They mean just as much and some of the kids Beth has helped in her career have donated as well so that's given us a boost as well.
"I keep getting messages saying how well I've done, but I've literally typed in some details into a website so all the credit has to go to everyone around Moray."
Beth remains ill in Aberdeen having developed an infection. The source of the infection is yet to be found and she can't start treatment in Germany until the issue has been resolved.
"It's really frustrating," Mike said. "Once we've found the cause of the illness it will be up to them to decide when we can do the treatment but the sooner the better really.
"There are no signs of it having spread yet so once she's ready we can jump on this life changing, potentially life saving treatment."
Dentric Cell Therapy has shown promising results in treating cancer and it is considered by many to be the future of combating the disease.
It helps the immune system recognise and attack abnormal cells offering cancer patients hope of a long term cure.
"Even if it doesn't work, it gives us more time," Mike added.
"In the worst case, we will get more time with Beth because of this treatment and we'll know that we've tried absolutely everything that we can.
"That's comforting. To know that we haven't just sat back."
