Dad battles cancer in hope of extra years with family
The community in Kilbeggan are joining in a huge fundraising effort to try to buy a father of three, who has an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer, more time with his family.
Brian Farrell, who lives in South Wales, with wife Nicola and three children, Conor 12, Calum 10 and Erin 10, has gone through all available treatment with the health service in the UK and is now looking at Genetic Tumour Profiling as his only hope.
Brian's family and friends in Westmeath, including his parents Pat and Noreen, and siblings Ronan, Tom and Caroline, have organised a Charity Motorcycle and Bike Meet-up this Sunday and have further fundraising events planned.
Two years ago at age 40, Brian was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. An active person, he was working as a mechanical fitter and enjoying family life - his only symptom was sudden severe abdominal pain.
After surgery and six gruelling months of chemotherapy - with exhaustion, nausea, sickness, diarrhoea and then hair loss - Brian's reprieve from cancer was only brief. In February this year, the cancer returned and there was also secondary cancer in his liver.
"We were told the cancer was now incurable. Our world, our family, everything changed forever," says Brian. "We discovered the prognosis is poor with a median overall survival between 6.8 and 11 months."
Positive as ever, Brian started another regime of two types of chemotherapy but this chemo is so toxic his immune system will eventually fail or the tumour will become tolerant to it.
Brian and Nicola are now looking at Genetic Tumour Profiling. It is not funded by the health system in the UK, but it's their only glimmer of hope.
"This could provide me with extra years with my family," says Brian.
Nicola is also bravely holding onto hope and keeping the children positive too. "You have your moments when going through something like this, but you have to keep going, you have no choice," she says.
With all other options used up, Brian and Nicola are meeting the consultant about Genetic Tumour Profiling next week.
"We hope it may open up another door of treatment options. It is our one hope now," says Nicola, who is also urging people to look up information on pancreatic cancer for pancreatic cancer awareness month.
"There are very few symptoms which is why the prognosis is often poor. We would like to spare other people from going through what we are."
Brian and Nicola join in their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported them, from Ireland, Wales and further afield.
"We are overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness we have received from so many people. We are truly grateful for the donations and the kind words and prayers we have received."