A YOUNG family is hoping their ‘get well wish’ will come true and they will be able to raise £150,000 towards cancer treatment for a much-loved mum.
Sophie Umhofer was recently diagnosed with incurable colon cancer which has spread to the 37-year-old’s liver and lymph nodes.
And while family and friends work hard trying to raise money for immunotherapy treatment – which is not available on the NHS – six-year-old daughter Maisie is also playing her part, by making her mum a ‘Get Well Soon’ card every day.
Immunotheraphy – which targets specific cancer cells – could help prolong her life, after doctors gave her three years to live.
Mike, who Sophie met while on holiday in Las Vegas 12 years ago, also says the money raised will be used to help support the family as he is self-employed as a photographer and is not entitled to benefits due to his American citizenship.
Mike – who hails from California but now lives with Sophie, Maisie and their three-year-old son Frederick in Kenilworth – said: “Maisie makes Sophie cards, she knows she is not well and has to have chemotherapy.
“I want to believe Sophie will fight this off although the doctor has said it is incurable and will define the rest of her life.
“I know it’s a big ask, but I would like to make the most of the time I have with her and for the kids to make the lasting memories. I am in need of financial support to take time off work if I need to when times get tough. The funds raised will go to supporting my household and children.
“There is also the possibility Sophie would respond well to immunotherapies. There is a higher response rate compared to chemo and it uses the body’s natural defences to turn on the cancer and kill it off.”
Animal lover Sophie volunteers with Coventry-based rescue charity Smokie’s Haven.
The former Kenilworth School pupil spent lots of time in the gym and is a long-term vegetarian, which Mike said should have meant her chances of getting colon cancer should have been slim, as vegetarianism lowers the risk by around 20 per cent.
He said: “The statistics for her to get this should be near impossible. To add fuel to the fire, her genetics testing has confirmed she has a rare gene mutation which allowed the cancer to rapidly spread so quickly.
“The support from our local community has been overwhelming. We are very humbled by everyone’s efforts to help save my wife.”
Visit uk.gofundme.com/sophie039s-cancer-battle to donate.
