A WORCESTER pole vaulter is attempting to raise £75,000 to save the life of her physio Paula Clayton, who’s been told she has just two months to live, writes Ryan Smith.
Team GB member Sophie Cook has jumped into action to support her physiotherapist Paula who found lump in her neck in July last year. The 54-year-old was eventually diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of thyroid cancer.
Over the past year she has underwent radical thyroidectomy surgery, a procedure that involved the removal of her thyroid, strap muscles, lymph nodes, and left internal jugular vein.
More recently Paula has had to battle sepsis and has taken a course of radiotherapy, but unfortunately this has not removed all of the cancer.
In order to have a chance of beating the cancer, Paula needs Pemrolizumab (Keytruda), a drug that helps your immune system to kill cancer.
However, this drug is only distributed in the United States, so her insurance and the NHS won’t pay for her treatment, despite research proving the effect that Pemrolizumab has against this form of cancer.
Sophie Cook, who met Paula while competing for Great Britain, has helped to raise £16,000 via a GoFundMe page.
Sophie said: “Paula is just an outright incredible human being.
“She’s worked at many Olympic Games and has helped myself and so many others massively.
“This really is her last chance. This form of thyroid cancer affects just one per cent of people, many of whom don’t have the support network that Paula has. “Even with her health declining, Paula has worked to spread awareness not only for her own condition, but to help others who may be in a similar position as well.
“If you are able to donate money, do an event or sale to raise funds or help in any way it would be beyond appreciated by Paula and those who love her.”
Visit gofundme.com/f/help-paula-raise-funds-for-life-saving-treatment to donate to the cause.
To educate yourself on Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma or to donate towards support for others like Paula, go to the Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust at butterfly.org.uk
