Kentish Express Ashford & District
Travel ban stops mum’s cancer care
The husband of a woman who is desperate for cancer treatment has urged the USA to make an exemption on its travel ban so she can join a potentially lifesaving clinical trial.
Sarah Wright, a mum of one from Warehorne, was told by a doctor in the UK there was “nothing they could do” after scans revealed she has metastatic breast cancer.
Husband Adam Wright has bravely spoken to the Kentish Express about Sarah’s battle with the disease.
“It was November 2018 and we had good news and bad news in one week,” the 35-year-old said.
“The great news was Sarah was pregnant - but also a biopsy she had for a lump on her breast was revealed to be cancer. It was horrendous really.”
Sarah, who is 33 and an ex-Team GB skeet shooter, had the lump removed and was told the cancer had all gone and it had not spread elsewhere.
But she had chemotherapy while she was pregnant to be safe.
Then in July 2019, Sarah had to pause her treatment as she gave birth to a healthy girl - Everleigh - who had no effects from the chemotherapy.
Adam added: “During the pregnancy she had abdominal pains which were put down to blood clots.
“But these persisted after the birth and became quite painful for her. They couldn’t do any X-rays during the pregnancy because of the radiation.”
A CT scan revealed small tumours around Sarah’s sternum, liver and lungs - and she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
To add to the couple’s pain, the first doctor they saw told them there was “nothing they could do”.
Adam said: “It was like someone had told her she was going to die tomorrow.”
They lost faith in that doctor and were transferred to another who started Sarah on a new round of chemotherapy.
The couple were hopeful it was working.
But scans showed the tumours had grown and she was put on a different “harsh-hitting” chemotherapy and was prescribed morphine because of the pain.
Only earlier this month, the couple were dealt another blow and found out the treatment was not working. Adam desperately scoured the internet for new treatments and clinical trials for his wife.
He found a trial in San Francisco for a new drug called leronlimab. It has been used to treat people with Covid-19 and HIV as well as cancer.
“We sent a biopsy just before the lockdown and were told she is eligible for it,” Adam added.
“We have got the money to buy the flights, the time-off to do it and the doctors in San Francisco are waiting for us.”
He says he understands why there is a lockdown - but has called for concessions for people who need urgent medical care.
The USA government has introduced a travel ban on British nationals entering the country - except for some people in specific categories.
Adam has asked his MP Damian Green for help and has contacted the USA embassy.
Mr Green said he is “trying to find the best way Mrs Wright can find a flight to the USA as soon as possible”.