A DETERMINED Bradford woman is fundraising for life-changing treatment - raising more than £25,000 in three days after receiving a shocking diagnosis.

Bakhtawer Kashef, aged 28, from Bierley, was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in July 2021 after rushing to A&E with severe stomach pain, where she was taken in for surgery.

Biopsy results revealed it was cancer, much to the surprise of doctors and family.

A fundraising push with a target of  £50,000 has been set up by family and friends so Bakhtawar can get her treatment and get her life back on track.

Bakhtawer, the eldest of four siblings, said: “It was a huge shock, this threw my life off balance.

“Before the diagnosis, I was working a Monday to Friday nine to five and then I became bedbound.

“My family and friends have been super supportive and we’re all trying to be strong in our own ways.

“It’s definitely hit my parents the hardest, they don’t want to cry in front of me, but I can see it in their eyes.

“It really upsets me because if I could make myself better I would, but I can’t control my body.”

She started chemotherapy in September 2021 and went into remission.

“Chemo is hard, the physical side of it as your body is shutting down but the depression and anxiety that comes with it can be harder."

A month ago, Bakhtawer was told her cancer had spread and there was nothing doctors could do to help.

But Bakhtawer wasn’t ready to give up.

After being told her cancer had spread and she didn’t have long left, Bakhtawer and her family began researching and looking for other options when they came across a potential treatment.

“There’s a Spanish medical company, which is offering treatment - we’ve spoken to the doctors and consultants, and they’ve told me that there is a high chance that this treatment would work on me.

“Immunotherapy has worked for a lot of people and if we can get the £50,000 the doctors are ready to start treatment.”

The company, which has a clinic in London, will come to Bakhtawar to provide the treatment, making it as easy on her as possible.

“The treatment has got to be done as soon as possible as I start chemotherapy again and it works alongside it.

“It will hopefully shrink the cancer cells and make me cancer free.”

She’s booked in for her first round of chemotherapy on October 11 and needs to have the treatment as soon as possible.

Before cancer took over her life, Bakhtawer was on track to becoming a solicitor, having gained a training contract at Mamas & Papas.

“It’s really competitive to get a training contract and I got one, I’m determined to get better and get my qualification.

“Mamas & Papas saw potential in me, that’s why they gave me the contract.

“I’m naturally quite a stubborn person, if someone tells me I can’t do something, it makes me want to do it more and that’s how I feel about this.

“I had been slowly getting back into work, building up my hours, and then we found out cancer had come back.

“If I can get going, I can get my training done by next year and be fully qualified.”

Bakhtawer has found a small community online that over the past three days has opened her eyes to the stories of numerous young people who have battled cancer and survived.

People have reached out from across the globe, sharing their stories about how this treatment has worked for them.

“We didn’t expect this many people to donate, and I can’t believe we’re halfway there.

“People have been so supportive and kind, it’s been really encouraging and we really appreciate all the donations.

“£50,000 is a lot of money but it could save my life.

“Someone got in touch and told me that their dad had this treatment and it worked for him.

“I’m massively optimistic and hopeful that this is going to work for me.”

Finding this community online and having been on this journey, Bakhtawer wants to give back and raise awareness about bowel cancer.

“I want to give back and want to help other people who are going through the same issue.

“But I want to say thank you to everyone who has donated so far and helped me get to £25,000."

To donate and support Bakhtawer click here.

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