A devoted father from Surrey has issued a heartfelt plea for help, revealing this Christmas could be his last unless he can secure £80,000 for life-extending cancer treatment within months.
A Devastating Diagnosis and a Family's Fight
Simon Hollister, a 54-year-old sales executive from Weybridge, saw his world shattered earlier this year when a private brain scan confirmed he had Glioblastoma, an aggressive and terminal form of brain cancer. The father-of-two, who moved south from Manchester, is now in a desperate race against time to raise funds for specialist care not available on the NHS, determined to see more Christmases with his wife Zoë and sons Raphael, 21, and Gabriel, 16.
His alarming journey began in January when he attempted to get fit, giving up alcohol and aiming to walk five to eight miles daily. However, he was plagued by dizzy spells and strange olfactory sensations, forcing him to stop and lean for support. After two inconclusive GP visits, Simon took matters into his own hands and paid for a scan. "The day after the scan I had a phone call from the doctor and they told me I had Glioblastoma. My world totally changed," he recounted.
The Cost of Hope: £80,000 for a Future
Following surgery that removed 80% of the tumour, Simon faced a bleak prognosis, with average survival rates standing at just 12 to 18 months. After a period of trauma where he "almost fell apart," a moment of clarity spurred him to fight. He is now pinning his hopes on advanced private treatments, having already seen success with the drug Avastin, which costs him £1,000 per month.
However, the next stage of his treatment could cost up to £80,000, a sum he cannot afford without private health insurance and while being unable to work. A GoFundMe page has been launched, with an incredible £17,000 already donated by friends, family, and well-wishers globally. "I have to pay for this... the problem I now have is that the next treatment is likely to be a lot more. It may keep me going for years, but I have got to look towards the next step," Simon explained.
A Call for Support and Systemic Change
Simon is doing everything he can to contribute, selling treasured possessions online, but he acknowledges he urgently needs public generosity. "The bottom line is I need help," he stated, emphasising that the funds raised so far have allowed him to test treatments and keep providing for his family.
He also called for greater government action and funding for Glioblastoma, which affects around 3,200 people in the UK each year. "Only one per cent of funding toward brain tumours goes towards Glioblastoma, that’s not enough," he said, referencing the recent death of author Sophie Kinsella which raised the disease's profile.
Despite the immense challenge, Simon remains focused on positivity and his family. "I have to stay alive to look after and be with my family for as long as possible," he said. "At this time of year it is so important to keep smiling. A smile helps you, and it helps the people around you - and I'm pretty sure it extends your life."
