A DAD-OF-THREE with terminal cancer says it would "mean the world" if he could raise enough money to undergo pioneering treatment overseas.

Derek Allen, who has multiple myeloma, could have just months left to live after exhausting all the treatment available to him on the NHS.

Now, loved ones hope to raise about 300,000 to send him overseas for CAR-T therapy which reprogrammes the patients own immune system cells to target their cancer.

Mr Allen, 41, said: I've tried to be strong for two years but it is getting harder to put a brave face on. To get the chance of this treatment would mean the world, to have hope to improve my prognosis or even beat it would mean everything to me and my family.

In early 2019, after going to the doctors with aching ribs, Mr Allen was sent for an x-ray then an emergency CT scan.

He was given the devastating news that he had multiple myeloma which was treatable but could not be cured, and told people with a similar diagnosis live an average of seven years.

But in the last two years the former construction site supervisor has had four sets of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, which have all been unsuccessful.

Mr Allen, originally from Murton and now loving in Easington Lane, said: I hadnt heard of it at the time, I was 39-years-old and I found out it was more prevalent in the over 60s.

I felt my world crash around me, the rug was pulled from under my feet. All my dreams and ambitions went out the window.

I had the hard issue of taking the seven years average prognosis, then I got two years before being told I might only have a couple of months.

"Weve tried to get me into remission, we always think it is going well then go for scans and the cancer remains it seems to be taking off doing what it wants.

I wont take it away from the NHS, it's provided a great service but weve come to the end of the line, there is no treatment to offer me.

The NHS does use CAR-T in the UK but it is only available for multiple myeloma patients as clinical trials, and Mr Allen does not meet the criteria.

But Mr Allen and wife Catherine have contacted clinics in Israel and America which may be able to offer him CAR-T treatment, once medics have examined his medical records.

An online Go Fund Me page, started by neighbour Jill Donnison, has raised 14,505 so far.

Mr Allen, who is dad to Morgan, 23, James, 21, Grace, 15, and grandad to three-year-old Kaidyn, said: Im not willing to sit back and roll over to this disease.

About six weeks ago I was told there was no further treatment, talking about having months left was hard to take when I feel reasonably well.

Im just hoping to prove them wrong.

When the consultant says go and live your life but because of coronavirus you cannot jump on a plane for a quick family holiday its pretty rubbish, Catherine had to stop working in a care home to care for me and weve just tried to enjoy walking the dogs when I could get out.

Unfortunately it comes down to money, and time, now. Im just a quiet guy, Ive always worked hard to better things for the family thinking in a few years wed ease off work and enjoy more time together. My own pride stopped me fundraising but a friend did it after the latest prognosis and Im just overwhelmed by the support.

See more here:
Dad needs 300k for CAR-T cancer therapy in US or Israel - The Northern Echo