Guernsey-born Beth Kitson Gouarin, 33, is urgently seeking £120,000 for vital private brain cancer treatment in Germany.
Diagnosed in 2019, Beth has defied an initial 18-month prognosis, crediting private immunotherapy, (which is unavailable on the NHS), for her extended life.
However, her cancer has progressed.
Her husband, Joshua Kitson, has launched a GoFundMe appeal, explaining they “have the answers, but don’t have the resources” to cover the significant costs of advanced treatments like ultrasound radiotherapy and proton therapy, plus the travel and living expenses.
Mr Kitson says each trip costs around £6,000-£7,000, with treatments costing up to £70,000.
He’s appealed for islanders to get involved with fundraising efforts: “If there is anybody that can help, that can contribute, that can share this message, whatever it is, everything is really, really, really appreciated.”
Mr Kitson highlighted his Wife’s strength, but admitted even the strongest of us needs support: “We’ve started this GoFundMe to help support her and get her access to some of the better care options available to her. I’m reaching out to try and help my wife; she is an incredibly good, strong person, but even she needs help sometimes.”
In response, friends in Guernsey are rallying to support.
They already took on “Belters for Beth”, a karaoke night at the Golden Lion last month, and now at the end of this month, Guernsey fundraisers are taking the cause along the northern coast.
“Walk for Beth” will take place on Sunday 24 August, featuring a 6km scenic route starting at 10.00 from the Peninsula Hotel.
Tickets are £10 for adults, £5 for under 16s, and are available on Eventbrite.
Islanders are encouraged to donate via the GoFundMe page, and support the local efforts to help Beth continue her fight against cancer.
Friends of Beth, Sam Hamperl, and Kristina Baker have organised the walk.
Ms Baker says the diagnoses has been devastating for someone so young: “Beth grew up in Guernsey and her family and so many friends are still here. Even through relentless treatments, she’s always tried to return when she can.
“She has deep roots on this island. Cancer is something that touches all of us, but seeing it threaten someone so young is especially devastating.”
She adds the walk isn’t just a fundraiser, but also sends a strong message of solidarity too: “Beth has been a source of hope and light even as she’s faced unimaginable challenges. We wanted to create something everyone could be part of to help give Beth a fighting chance.
“The Walk for Beth is a way to stand together, in the summer sunshine, to show her she’s not alone, and to fight back against something that impacts so many of us and those we love.”