‘Phenomenal’ support for Heather Bellamy’s appeal

A Downham woman with a rare type of cancer has said the fundraising endeavours for her have been “phenomenal”.

Heather Bellamy, 48, has acute myeloid leukaemia and needs funds to travel to America, the only country that currently offers treatment for the disease.

So far, around £21,000 has been raised for Heather with other projects in the pipeline.

King’s Lynn Town Football Club raised £570 through a collection during their game at the Walks on Saturday, in which the squad wore t-shirts supporting her cause.

Over £500 was also raised through a collection in Downham.

“The support I have had from the community, friends and family is phenomenal,” Heather said.

“I must confess to becoming quite emotional and tearful every time I hear of a new fundraising endeavour to help me get the treatment I need in America.

“Friends of ours who live in America have organised a fundraiser to raise funds.”

She is hoping to be discharged from hospital next week having had to attend hospital at least three times a week for blood result checks.

As well as this, she has also had two stem cell transplants, having an impact on her bone marrow recovery.

Heather added: “The reason for the blood counts slow progression is firstly because of the large amount of chemotherapy I have had over the past four years.

“There is always the risk that my bone marrow will not recover and to be entirely honest I do not know what the outcome of that would be.”

Support for the mother-of-four has included staff at Arbuckles in Downham pledging to walk 200-miles to Cardiff in April over a period of eight days.

“We are still quite a long way off the target and keeping the momentum going is a full time job for family and friends which is why your help is so appreciated,” Heather continued.

Her page is www.gofundme.com/auntie-heather039s-last-chance.