A FUNDRAISING campaign has been launched to secure a life changing drug for Olympic physiotherapist Paula Clayton.
Paula was diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) after discovering a lump in July 2020.
ATC effects less than 1% of those suffering with one of the four cancers known to target the thyroid.
Paula’s cancer is the most aggressive of the four and following her diagnosis, she underwent surgery which involved the removal of her thyroid, strap muscles, lymph nodes and left internal jugular vein.
Despite receiving the operation and a short course of radiotherapy, not all of the cancer could be removed.
After trying a number of different treatments since her diagnosis, her only option is to raise £75,000 to fund a course of treatment in the United States.
The drug, Pembrolizumab (keytruda) is a type of immunotherapy that works by helping the T cells in your immune system to target and kill the cancer.
Currently the treatment is unavailable on the NHS or through private insurance for thyroid cancer.
Paula’s colleagues at BMI The Droitwich Spa Hospital gathered on Saturday 21st August to raise life-saving funds, so Paula can travel to the United States to receive a drug used to combat ATC.
Sally Singleton, clinical services manager for imaging, said: “We’re a really close team here at BMI The Droitwich Spa Hospital, having an opportunity to help a colleague and friend get closer to getting the treatment she so desperately needs meant a lot to all of us who took part.”
Starting at BMI The Droitwich Spa Hospital, the team of 9 staff caught the train to Malvern and walked the 19.3 miles back via the Morgan factory, in an attempt to raise £1,000 towards the £75,000 goal.
Paula joined the physiotherapy team at BMI The Droitwich Spa in December 2019 but has also worked at numerous Olympic Games and supported Olympians competing in wrestling, boxing, hockey, rugby, women’s football, equestrian, squash, badminton and swimming.
Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-paula-raise-funds-for-life-saving-treatment to donate.
