The Juli Spendley Foundation

In her own words Juli describes how and why she, her family and friends came to set up The Juli Spendly Foundation.

I was diagnosed with Neuro-Endrocrine Cancer in September 2009 after a year of non-specific signs and symptoms, making diagnosis difficult.

I was offered a trial chemotherapy which was delivered in four cycles. Unfortunately, due to the time delay prior to diagnosis, this had no effect and the tumors had already spread from the lung, to the liver and to different bones around the body.

I later had some radiotherapy to ease the pains in my hip, whilst this was helpful, the bone metastases have since increased, and hence the associated pain has increased.

The Royal Free Hospital in London are pioneering a targeted treatment, aimed specifically at blocking the receptors of Neuro-Endrocrine Tumors. This is called Radionuclide Therapy, and I am eligible for this treatment.

However, the Dorset PCT have turned down funding so my friends and family are helping to raise the £24,000 needed to have this treatment following my next course of chemotherapy. I am currently awaiting a decision from the Dorset PCT (NHS Primary Care Trust) as to whether they will fund this chemotherapy.

The purpose of the Juli Spendley Foundation is also to help others like myself who have been denied funding for treatment that could prolong their lives, and to promote awareness of the condition within the wider medical community, so that earlier diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment offered in good time to prevent or at least reduce the likelyhood of other sufferers experiencing the difficulties I have.