The family of man diagnosed with motor neurone disease have launched an appeal to raise £30,000 for stem cell treatment in a bid to buy him some time to see his young children grow up.
Scott Everett, who lives in Stevenage, first began feeling unwell last year and was wrongly diagnosed with a sinus infection earlier this year.
He found it increasingly difficult to speak clearly and was sent for tests and, in March, Scott was given the devastating diagnosis of motor neurone disease.
The HGV driver is only 46 and had never imagined he wouldn’t see his daughters – two-year-old Evie and five-year-old Anna – grow up, but his life expectancy is up to three years from the onset of his symptoms.
Scott, who has had to give up work, has progressive bulbar palsy – which affects speech and swallowing before spreading to the rest of the body.
His wife, Catherine, said: “I don’t think there are any words to describe how we feel.
“We have got two small children and we had intended to grow old together.
“In the first few weeks since he was diagnosed, every time he cuddled the girls he would fight tears and think ‘how many more of these cuddles am I going to get’?
“But Scott is overwhelmed by the kindness of people, which has been spectacular, and is staying positive. He wants to be an exception to the rule.”
Scott’s family are raising £30,000 to fund stem cell treatment in Moscow and a new drug called radicut and have already raised more than £6,000 in just six days.
Scott’s sister, Kerry, said: “They have treated other patients with the same condition as Scott. We have talked to each of them and all have reported improvements in their condition.
“We need to buy Scott as much time as possible whilst a cure is being found, and we are determined to get him there.”
Fundraising activities in the pipeline so far include a golf day, quiz night and bake sale.
Catherine said: “Asking for money is incredibly difficult. We have never asked for help before, but it’s necessary now if we are to keep Scott with us for as long as possible.
“He is so grateful for all the support and donations we have already received.”
To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/scott-needs-stem-cells
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