A MOTHER-of-four diagnosed with a rare form of cancer has been given renewed hope of life-saving treatment by medics in America following a successful fundraising appeal.
Colchester resident Lyndsay Johnson, 38, was told she could have months to live after being diagnosed with smarca4 deficient thoracic sarcoma in July.
She has been receiving palliative treatment at Colchester Hospital, but doctors are not sure how her body will respond as the cancer is so rarely seen in Britain.
But thanks to a fundraising campaign led by her family, travel consultant Lyndsay, who lives near Abbey Fields, flew out for an assessment at the MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Texas earlier this month.
She underwent numerous tests and scans and whilst still waiting a full pathology report, her family are feeling positive after being told there were treatment options, which may even be available in Britain.
- Lyndsay Johnson during chemotherapy treatment
Her family said: "In America they suggested there is another treatment option available for Lyndsay licensed there, but only in trial stages in the UK.
"Lyndsay's first port of call will be now to speak to her UK oncologist to see if there is any chance of having this drug here.
"This treatment option we are hoping can give Lyndsay a better chance of fighting this rare cancer and also proves new options are always becoming available.
"If she did not go to America we would of never been given this extra bit of hope that another treatment could be possible.
"Once we know more detail we will let you all know."
- Lyndsay with her four children
The family have raised around £30,000 for her treatment by hosting a series of events and collecting donations through a Go Fund Me page.
And they have no plans to stop fundraising just yet as if she can't get the drug on the NHS, her treatment will likely costs tens of thousands.
They said: "We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped give Lyndsay the opportunity to go to America which at first seemed an impossible target.
"From the bottom of our hearts we thank you so much and wish everyone a lovely safe Christmas."
For updates about Lyndsay's progress, visit www.facebook.com/lyndsayschanceofsurvival.
Donate at www.gofundme.com/f/efxy3n-save-lyndsay?.
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