NHS cancer nurse has to crowdfund drug to treat her own cancer
A NURSE who has devoted her life to caring for cancer patients is asking for help as she fights her own battle with the disease.
Terminally ill Laura Harris, 42, hopes a life-prolonging drug will give her more time with her three children.
But it is unavailable on the NHS, so she has launched a £40,000 crowdfunding appeal.
Laura was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer early last year and given just three months to live.
Yet she has since returned to work at North Devon District Hospital.
Laura, of Barnstaple, said: “As an oncology nurse, I’m only too aware of what I’m up against, but I’m not finished on this earth just yet.
“I still feel I have so much more to give and I hope this treatment will buy me some extra time with my family.
“This last year has been the hardest of my life but we’re so grateful for the support we’ve already received.” Married Laura, also a carer for her elderly mother, has endured chemo and radiotherapy but doctors say her options are now running out.
She believes a drug called Bevacizumab, or Avastin, could buy her more time.
An online appeal, at gofundme.com/lauratreatment-fund, has already raised nearly £19,000.
Friend and fellow nurse Hannah Sunderland said: “Laura has devoted her life to caring for cancer patients, even returning to work against all the odds, but now she needs our help. Every second is precious and there really is no time to lose.”