Eight-year-old Daisy Wald couldn’t understand why a family friend wasn’t able to access the drugs she needed after she was diagnosed and decided to write to MPs asking for an answer.
Daisy asked Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, Vaughan Gething why cancer patients in England have access to free cancer drugs but those in Wales, including her friend, did not.
Daisy’s mum’s friend Carolyn was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was pregnant and had to undergo chemotherapy while pregnant in order to shrink the tumour.
Having made the decision to have a mastectomy after giving birth, Carolyn was dealt the devastating blow that the cancer had spread to her liver and lung and was now terminal.
When Daisy was writing her Christmas cards, she decided to write one more to help Carolyn.
“Dear the government,” read Daisy’s letter.
“Why are the cancer tablet lots of money? It’s not fair because in England they are free.
“My mummy’s friend Carolyn has cancer, she’s had lots of treatment but she also needs those tablets.
“So please will you make them free. Sincerely, Daisy Wald.”
The youngster is now hoping to take her concerns further and starting a petition in her school.
Carolyn is also working on her own awareness campaign with her GoFundMe page where she is hoping to raise the £150,000 she needs to pay for the incredibly expensive medication.
“My cancer is not curable but it is treatable. There are targeted therapy drugs that have proven to be very effective in treating my type of cancer.
“We can apply for these but it is highly likely our application will be rejected. We can appeal the decision but this takes time, which is a luxury I may not have. I have therefore decided to try and raise funds now, while I am well.
“We are fully aware that these drugs do not offer a cure, but they could provide me with extra years with my children, which could be the difference between them remembering their mother or not.”
