A mum from Manchester who was told she only had months to live has now been given the breast cancer all-clear after a groundbreaking drug trial.
51-year-old Jasmin David from Fallowfield was a previously fit and healthy mother of two grown-up children, and was working as a clinical lead at a care home for the elderly, before she discovered that she had an aggressive triple negative form of breast cancer in November 2017 after finding a lump above the nipple.
Following her diagnosis, Jasmin then underwent six months of chemotherapy and a mastectomy in April 2018, followed by 15 cycles of radiotherapy.
These treatments successfully cleared her body of cancer, but sadly, back in October 2019, the cancer returned, and scans showed multiple lesions throughout her body meaning she had a poor prognosis.
Jasmin then discovered that the cancer had unfortunately spread to the lungs, lymph nodes, and chest bone, and was given the devastating news that she had less than a year to live.
ADVERTISEMENT
Two months later, and with no other options left, Jasmin was offered the opportunity to be part of research by participating in the first phase of a two-year groundbreaking clinical trial, which she accepted, and then in December 2019, began treatment at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Clinical Research Facility (CRF) at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester.
Jasmin David is receiving groundbreaking treatment at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester / Credit: The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
During the trial, Jasmin is given an experimental medicine combined with Atezolizumab – an immunotherapy drug administered intravenously – which she continues to have every three weeks.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jasmin says she feels “reborn” after beginning the treatment trial.
And she’s now showing no evidence of the disease, and enjoying life with her husband David and children Ryan and Riona.
“I was 15 months down the line after my initial cancer treatment and had almost forgotten about it, but then the cancer returned,” Jasmin explained.
“When I was offered the trial, I didn’t know if it would work for me, but I thought that at least I could do something to help others and use my body for the next generation. At first I had many horrible side effects including headaches and spiking temperatures, so I was in hospital over Christmas and quite poorly – but then thankfully, I started to respond well to the treatment.
"I take each day as a blessing in my life." Jasmin was diagnosed with cancer and given less than a year to live. But she's now been told she's clear of the disease after taking part in a clinical trial.
By June 2021, scans showed no measurable cancer cells in Jasmin’s body and she was then declared cancer free, but will still remain on treatment until December 2023.
Professor Fiona Thistlethwaite, medical oncologist and clinical director of Manchester CRF at The Christie – who is leading on the study in the UK – said: “We are really pleased that Jasmin has had such a good outcome, and at The Christie, we are continually testing new drugs and therapies to see if they can benefit more people.”
Man United broadcaster FlexUTD responds after suffering ‘awful’ racist abuse on camera
Danny Jones
Manchester United content creator, YouTuber and digital presenter, FlexUTD, has shared a disappointed but defiant response following a racist incident captured during a video after the game this weekend.
Flex – real name Flex Alexander – is a familiar face among Man United fans and a well-known personality across the online English football culture, having previously worked with another popular fan channel in The United Stand before founding his own brand, United View.
Whilst recording his regular post-match analysis outside Old Trafford after the 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday, the social media influencer was interrupted by a woman and fellow United supporter.
After seemingly giving someone a quick shout-out, she then proceeds to wander out of frame before appearing to utter a racial slur off-camera in the form of an offensive twist on the fan base’s famous anti-Glazer chant.
Credit: United View (via YouTube)
In the video shared to the official YouTube channel, he is visibly stunned by the racist outburst and members of the crew behind the camera can also be heard asking, “Did you just see what I think you said?”, adding “There’s always one or two.”
The identity of the female United fan is still unknown and although her face remains blurred for legal reasons, Flex himself did come out on social media to ask people to “find this woman” in order for the club to identify her and the authorities to punish her accordingly.
Still taken aback by the racial slur, Flex simply goes on to describe the off-hand abuse as “crazy” before insisting that the moment will be staying the full edit so as not to let the incident go unnoticed.
Ever since the video was released, other Reds, football fans and content creators alike have been sharing their support online.
One person wrote, “It’s 2024 and we’re still seeing people saying racist things and they think they can get away with it. Hope Flex gets justice for this.”, while another tagged the club and added: “Can’t be having these type of fans enter the stadium.”
Flex has since responded online in a separate video, thanking people for their heartfelt messages, but despite assuring that he has a “thick skin”, he quite rightly went on to add that people of colour shouldn’t have to deal with that kind of intolerable behaviour and he is simply “tired”.
Disgraceful. Hope your ok @FlexUTD we are all united together ❤️
Retired striker and former United coach Benni McCarthy also reached out online to offer some kind words, writing: “Hi mate, hope you [are] ok. That was absolutely unnecessary and you shouldn’t have to deal with such behaviour. Stay strong bro and behind you all the way.”
The club themselves are yet to issue a statement regarding the incident but with both current players and former staff responding, it likely won’t be long before the individual is identified and issued with a ban. United had to deal with similar incidents regarding racism and homophobia last season.
It goes without saying that we condemn discrimination in all its forms; our thoughts go out to Flex and everyone else affected by the incident and hope the incident is dealt with swiftly. The beautiful game is for everyone and there’s no room for racism in any walk of life. #KickItOut.
You can watch Flex’s full video addressing the situation, in which he urged people to “stay strong, keep fighting” and “stick together”, down below:
FlexUTD’s full response following the appalling racist incident on 4/11/2024.
Featured Images — United We Stand (via YouTube)/FlexUTD (via X)
News
Family pays tribute to ‘big family man’ found dead 10 days after going missing
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man who was found dead in Wigan 10 days after he was reported missing have now paid a touching tribute to him.
David Edmonds, 55, has been described by his loved ones as a ‘big family man’ who loved sports, travel and his family.
David had been missing for nine days after last being seen in the Bodmin Drive area of Platt Bridge at around 11pm on Sunday 20 October.
Tragically after extensive searches, on Wednesday 30 October police found a body, later confirmed as David.
His wife has now released a statement on behalf of his family, describing him as a ‘happy chap’ who was well-loved by his family, friends and colleagues.
She said: “He was a hard worker and worked all his life. His first job was with his father at a local factory, and he worked there from a young age up until recently.
“He was a big Everton supporter and loved going to the matches. He held season tickets since he was a child. David liked all sports and watching anything with a ball, cricket, football, and rugby, especially Wigan rugby.
“He also liked horse racing; we would go to the races in York every year.
“He loved going on holiday and we travelled a lot together, we went to Australia, New York, Tenerife, and Benidorm.
“David was a big family man and adored his three nephews. He will be missed by all of us, he was so loved.
“We would like to thank the police and everyone who shared appeals on social media or went out searching for David.”
David’s family have asked for privacy whilst they grieve his loss.
Emily Sergeant -
5th July 2022 
