Fundraiser launched to help terminally ill Lancaster graduate, 21, return home to her family in Peru

Tuesday, 27 August 2024 10:55

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Alexandra Caycho in hospital with her cat Jerry

An online fundraiser to help a terminally ill 21-year-old Lancaster University graduate return home to her family in South America has raised £60,000 in just four days.

Alexandra Angeles Caycho's dying wish is to to be with her family in Peru, where she grew up.

But due to her condition, she will need to travel by medical air ambulance with doctors by her side to take care of her during the journey.

Alex, who recently graduated from Lancaster University with a First Honours degree in Fine Art and Design, has stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

The GoFundme page aims to raise £155,000 in total.

Here is Alex with her boyfriend Dylan at graduation at Lancaster University this summer.

Over the weekend, Alex posted a heartbreaking message on her Instagram.

"It's with a heavy heart that I write this message.

"This likely will be one of my final updates if not the last. I'm officially stage 4 and also terminal.

"Over the last 10 weeks I've been in hospital recovering from two infections and dealing with various symptoms. After finally chasing on some problems the doctors found, they found the tumour in my liver. Plus potential spots of more spread. I instantly had to start chemo but after just two cycles the cancer grew too much.

"The tumour is eating into my small bowel and causing bleeding. There's nothing that can be done to stop/fix it.

"I hesitated on doing an update sooner when we didn't have all the answers.

"I just didn't expect this to be the outcome."

This montage of photos of Alex has been posted on her fundraising page.

Alex's friend Katie Cherry, who set up the GoFundme page on behalf of Alex's boyfriend Dylan Harris, said: "After trying to coordinate Alex's travel, we have been strongly recommended that Alexandra be transported in a medical air ambulance rather than through an assisted commercial flight.

"This recommendation comes because Alexandra's condition has worsened over the weekend, and her current state requires the specialised care and safety measures that only a medical air ambulance can provide.

"While this option does come at a significantly higher cost, estimated at around £150,000, it is much safer for several reasons: the air ambulance is staffed with highly trained medical personnel who can provide immediate care and monitor Alexandra's condition throughout the flight, the aircraft is equipped with life-saving medical equipment similar to what is found in an ICU, ensuring that any medical needs can be promptly addressed, the flight environment can be adjusted to ensure Alexandra's comfort and safety, including cabin pressure, temperature, and noise levels, the air ambulance can offer a direct flight to the destination, minimising travel time and avoiding the physical stress of layovers or transfers, the private setting of the air ambulance minimizes exposure to other passengers, significantly reducing the risk of infection.

"Given these factors, the air ambulance is the safest option for Alexandra in her current condition.

"Thank you again for all the continuous support, we have so much hope and gratitude."

Alex was diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer on March 17 2023, aged just 20.

"My future was bright, and I was so excited to start my journey as an artist," she posted on the fundraising page.

"But on March 17th, 2023, everything changed. At just 20 years old, I received the devastating news that I had been diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer.

"The doctors were shocked; they told me it was almost impossible for someone my age to have this disease.

"Yet, here I am, facing a battle that no one should ever have to fight.

"Since then, I’ve been through endless rounds of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and countless hospital stays. I’ve tried to stay strong, to keep fighting with everything I have, but unfortunately, my journey is coming to an end.

"Despite all the treatments, the cancer has spread throughout my body. The tumour in my pancreas has grown so much that it’s pressing against my intestines, causing internal bleeding. The doctors have explained that there’s nothing more they can do—treatment is no longer an option. They’ve given me a timeframe of just days to weeks to live.

"This news has shattered me, and it’s been a massive shock to my friends and family as well. I never imagined my life would end this way, so soon, with so much left undone. But now, more than anything, I want to spend my last days surrounded by the people I love, in the place that means the most to me—home.

"My last wish is to return to Peru, to be with my family in the place where I grew up, where I have so many happy memories. I can’t imagine being anywhere else in these final days. But getting there isn’t going to be easy.

"This is why I’m reaching out to you all, asking for your help. The cost of (transportation) and the medical care I need during the flight is far beyond anything my family and I can afford.

"Any contribution, no matter how small, would mean the world to me. Your kindness could help me fulfil my last wish to go home, to be with my family, and to spend my final moments in a place where I feel at peace."

Alex's fundraising page can be found HERE.