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In September, 34-year-old father Owain James was told he had an incurable brain tumour and would have only months to live if no action was taken.
Since then, more than £50,000 has been raised towards a £250,000 fundraising target to help Owain, from Caerphilly, get the treatment he needs.
Just a week before his grade 4 diagnosis, plumber Owain was playing football for his team, Church Village FC, and in May he took part in a 10k race with friends.
The news turned the lives of Owain and wife Ellie, 33, who have an 19-month-old daughter together, upside down – and they decided to go everything they could to have as much time together as possible.
The couple got married on October 8, surrounded by family and friends.
Since diagnosis, Owain has had surgery to remove half of the tumour and is currently undergoing an intensive course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
He has been told there are viable treatments which may be able to help him – in addition to radiotherapy and chemotherapy – but that these are not currently available on the NHS.
DC Vax (dendritic cell vaccine) is a form of immunotherapy. Results from the third phase of a clinical trial suggest that it could help to extend the life of patients.
However, the trial is still at an early stage and so the treatment is yet to be approved for use on the NHS, but it is available privately in the UK.
Fundraising efforts
A crowdfunding page has been set up to help raise funds Owain’s treatment.
A host of fundraising events have also taken place, including events at Bedwas rugby club and Caerphilly golf club, as well as at Church Village FC.
A dedicated website has been set up showing upcoming fundraising events for Owain.
Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen Community Council held collections for Owain at their fireworks display and Remembrance events, while donations have also been made from businesses, including £425 from staff and customers at the Spar store in Trethomas.
His former primary school, Ty’n y Wern, also fundraised for Owain – raising more than £700.
Ellie said: “Owain and I have been blown away by the kindness and support shown to us since we received Owain’s diagnosis, and we can’t thank everyone enough.
“Generous donations from family, friends and people we’ve never even met before have given us hope that what we once thought was impossible, is actually possible.”
Any businesses wishing to donate a raffle prize can email fundsforowain@hotmail.com.
Calls for increased brain tumour research
Caerphilly’s Labour Senedd Member, Hefin David, has written to the Welsh Government about Owain’s case and has urged Eluned Morgan, the Health Minister, to increase funding for brain tumour research and improve access to treatment in Wales.
Dr David has also raised the issue with the the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and spoke about it in the Senedd.
Hefin David MS said: “Owain’s story is one of huge frustrations and I will continue to support him and Ellie as much as I possibly can.
“I know this is a particularly challenging time for people financially, but if you are able to donate to Owain’s treatment fund I know the family would be especially grateful.”
Ellie said: “Doing so much research into brain cancer since Owain’s diagnosis has made me realise how massively underfunded this area is. As far as I can tell, over the past 30 years, apart from the approval of a new chemotherapy drug in 2007, treatment options in the NHS have not changed.
“Ironically, we know this only too well as Owain’s grandfather was diagnosed with a brain tumour in the early 1990’s and other than Owain having the new chemotherapy drug, the treatment path has been exactly the same.”
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