Bradford dad with terminal cancer may never meet miracle baby

Andrew Wreford, 37, was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year and underwent chemotherapy soon after.

He was told the treatment would make him infertile, but Andrew and his partner, Rachel Mitton, who live in Idle, were amazed when she fell pregnant months later.

Andrew with partner Rachel (Image: UGC)

"It is bittersweet, mixed feelings," Jackie Hamilton, who has flown in from Australia to be with her brother, told the Telegraph & Argus.

"He is never going to know his dad and my brother might not be able to see his baby being born in September.

"[But] it is lovely for Rachel to have another part of him."

Andrew's journey began in February 2022 when he visited the doctor after feeling gassy and suffering from stomach pains.

A colonoscopy revealed the heartbreaking news he had cancer. 

"At first, we were down but knew it could be treated these days," Jackie, 48, added. 

"He went for another scan (in May) and they found that it had metastasised to his liver and lung and there was nothing that we could do."

Andrew with daughter Alba (Image: UGC)

At that stage Andrew was given two to three years to live, said Jackie. However, that all changed earlier this year.

She added: "We managed to have some family time then from mid-February he went downhill and ended up having to have a stoma put in. There has been no comeback.

"Fluid has been building up in his legs and around his lungs and stomach.

"He went to see the oncologist last week. They said if he was going to have chemotherapy again, it was now or never but they couldn't guarantee it was going to make him any better."

Jackie said Andrew decided he did not want to put himself through chemotherapy again because of how sick it made him and the fact there are no guarantees. 

She added: "It is upsetting for all the family, but we are not going through it, it is not our body."

Jackie spoke about how Andrew had drastically changed when she returned to Bradford almost a fortnight ago.

Andrew and Jackie (Image: UGC)

She said: "It is horrible being so far away, you feel useless, I could not be of any help.

"I am here indefinitely. I can work from here and I can support them when needed.

"He has dramatically changed physically. I was heartbroken when I got here.

"When he went to that next level, he couldn't even talk to me. He sleeps a lot and does not eat much.

"It was really heartbreaking to see him wasting away. He is 6ft 2 and was always big and strong."

Jackie has set up a fundraiser, which has already reached over £2,000, to help Andrew's family through these tough times.

He has found it difficult since being forced to stop his job as a self-employed joiner.

She added: "It was hard for him, losing his independence, he is very stubborn. 

"He has not got a wage coming in and has no savings or life insurance so we are concerned for Rachel and the children in the future."

The Idle man has a hospital bed at his house (Image: UGC)

The Go Fund Me page, created last month, says: "My baby brother is dying from cancer - these are words I never thought would cross my lips and every family's worst nightmare.

"Andrew is 37 years old and a dad to four amazing children.

"He was diagnosed with bowel cancer that had metastasised only 12 months ago and has been fighting hard ever since.

"He was told chemo would make him infertile but by some miracle, his partner Rachel is now five months pregnant with a baby who’s never going to meet their daddy.

"Andrew is a stoic person with an ‘it is what it is’ attitude. A keen fisherman with a big heart. He was self-employed and had to sadly stop working.

"We are a proud family but I’m reaching out for help to cover funeral costs and support for his family and new baby.

"Any donations would be greatly appreciated."

If you would like to donate, follow this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/when-hope-is-not-enough