A Cheshire mum who has been diagnosed with a rare type of cancer has launched a fundraising campaign to fund new treatment.
Rachel Coram, 27, is hoping to undergo immunotherapy treatment that could give her the ‘greatest timeframe’ to spend with her family.
The mum of one says she recently received the ‘devastating news’ that the drugs company won’t fund the treatment for her – leaving her to raise the £100,000 cost herself.
She has now launched a GoFund Me campaign, named Unique Sense of Tumour, which has already raised more than £60,000 at the time of writing.
Rachel, from Poynton, says that ‘time has started to tick a little faster’ in the year since she was diagnosed with Advanced Sclerosing Fibromixoid Sarcoma.
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She was told that tumours had been found in her spine, breast, stomach, knee, neck, liver and lungs on Christmas Eve last year, Cheshire Live reports.
Rachel says she’s one of the only people in the UK with her type of Sarcoma cancer, meaning the treatment options available ‘haven’t changed in the last 40 years’.
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In her fundraising campaign, she writes: “As most of you will know I’m Rach. I was diagnosed with Advanced Sclerosing Fibromixoid Sarcoma in Dec 2020.
“I never wanted a ‘diagnosis time frame’ as I have always tried to as positive as possible… it’s nearly been a year of different types of treatments and medicines and time has started to tick a little faster.
“Sarcomas are so rare that treatment options for them haven’t changed in the last 40 years! My oncologist has explained to me many times that the chemotherapy options available won’t be very successful for my type of Sarcoma, however there is the option to try Immunotherapy.
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“He has had the discussion with the Royal Marsden and they have seen some positive results with this line of treatment.
“I however, recently received the devastating news that the drugs company will not fund immunotherapy as a treatment option for me.
“They have said that there are alternative (cheaper) routes I could explore first… When we all know those options won’t be as successful or give me the greatest timeframe & I obviously want a lifetime and more with my little family. The treatment to self fund is £100,000.
“I would be so forever grateful for any kind of help or donation to try get us to this goal & allow me to try this treatment to give me as long as I can or you never know, maybe even cure me.
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“Thank you, Rach, David and Indie x”
You can donate towards Rachel’s immunotherapy treatment at GoFundMe here.
Featured image: GoFundMe
Cheshire
Chester Zoo issues statement after people slam ‘totally ridiculous’ prices for safari-style lodges
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo has defended the pricing for its new overnight safari-style lodges as people branded it as ‘totally ridiculous’.
Already being described as “the ultimate African safari experience right here in the UK”, some of the lodges will be located at the side of a lake, while others will offer views of a private savannah-style habitat that are home to Northern giraffes.
Bookings officially went live last Wednesday (29 January), and demand was “nothing short of phenomenal”, with the website crashing for a brief period and more than 550 bookings made so far.
But merely moments after this, people began hitting out at the prices for overnight stays.
Those working on the “very special” project say a stay at The Reserve will help to fund Chester Zoo’s global conservation projects.
Chester Zoo has issued a statement after people slammed the ‘totally ridiculous’ prices for safari-style lodges / Credit: Supplied
In the off-season, prices for the lodges start from £375, while one-night stays in summer start from £672.50, and then in peak season, for the more luxurious lodges, prices can go all the way up to £2,486, but it’s worth nothing that this does include guided safari tours and going behind-the-scenes with the giraffes.
“As an international wildlife charity we wholly rely on public funding to carry out our species-saving work,” a Chester Zoo spokesperson said in defence of the pricing.
“The Reserve is the latest way that people may wish to help to directly fund our global conservation projects and make a difference to the future of some amazing, but sadly endangered, species.
“A stay at The Reserve includes so much more than a room for the night.
“Packages include elements such as a range of exclusive behind-the-scenes and animal experiences, breakfast, dinner and out-of-hours access to the zoo, as well as two-day passes and the chance to view wildlife straight from your lodge balcony.”
Find out more and book your stay in the new lodges on the Chester Zoo website here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Cheshire
Chester Zoo releases new images of its luxury overnight safari-style lodges
Emily Sergeant
Artist impressions showing how new overnight safari-style lodges at Chester Zoo will look have been revealed.
It’s been a long time coming, but the highly anticipated 51-lodge wildlife experience, called The Reserve, is finally set to open to the public at Chester Zoo this August after several years in the works, and these stunning new CGIs provide a glimpse of what visitors can expect.
The lodges have been crafted using natural and sustainable materials, with the décor being inspired by landscapes in Africa.
Guests can choose from a variety of different lodges, available for up to nine people.
Some of the lodges will be located at the side of a lake, while others will offer views of a private savannah-style habitat that are home to Northern giraffes.
The new artist’s impressions also show the resort’s very-own restaurant, The Amboseli Restaurant, as well as the Tsavo Lounge, where guests will be able to enjoy freshly-prepared food and drinks on a lakeside terrace.
Those working on the “very special” project say a stay at The Reserve will help to fund Chester Zoo’s global conservation projects.
Chester Zoo has released new images of its luxury overnight safari-style lodges / Credit: Supplied
“There’s nothing else quite like The Reserve at Chester Zoo in the UK,” commented Jamie Christon, who is the CEO at Chester Zoo, as the new images were released today.
“It’s so much more than just a short break – it’ll provide guests with unforgettable experiences and bring them face-to-face with extraordinary animals, all while helping to protect the wild world and fund powerful conservation action.”
It’s described as being “the ultimate African safari experience right here in the UK.”
As mentioned, the grand opening of The Reserve at Chester Zoo is planned for August 2025, and bookings go on general sale at 9am tomorrow (Wednesday 29 January), with a range of packages available – including exclusive behind-the-scenes and animal experiences, the chance to interact with conservation experts and special out-of-hours access to the zoo.
In the off-season, prices for the Chester Zoo lodges start from £375, while one-night stays in summer start from £672.50.
And then in peak season, for the more luxurious lodges, prices can go all the way up to £2,486 (though that does include guided safari tours and going behind-the-scenes with the giraffes).
Find out more and book your stay in the new lodges on the Chester Zoo website here.
Daisy Jackson -
27th December 2021 
