A beloved Cornwall woman is desperately raising funds to carry on lifesaving treatment abroad. Jodi Shepherd, who has been described as a "hugely loved member of Looe community" was diagnosed with aggressive stage four stomach cancer last year and given a very short time to live.
The hairdresser was told that her cancer was incurable and that the only treatment she could receive from the NHS would be palliative care. However, Jodi's family researched and found a specialist treatment centre in Turkey which was willing to take on her case - but they needed to raise £60,000 for her first round of treatment.
So, the Looe community all pooled in and raised an incredible £80,000 for Jodi, and she responded very well to round one seeing incredible results. The private oncologist clinic in Istanbul worked alongside her doctors in the UK to create a treatment plan that uses chemotherapy and other protocols which specialise in stomach cancer.
Fred Alsop, owner of the Fish Market in Looe and a relative of Jodi, said whilst the treatment was "brutal" for Jodi, her cancer is no longer classified as being stage four and she is on the road to rehabilitation. "Every day for several weeks, she goes for treatment and she has a break but it's been very brutal for her," he told CornwallLive.
"She has had really great scans come through for her treatment and she's doing really well. The cancer cells that are left in the most problematic areas are only trace elements and she is effectively out of the stage four category and is now into a rehabilitative treatment programme, which a lot of people don't know is possible."
However, Jodi now needs to raise further funds for her second round which is essential to keep her recovery on track. So, Fred has teamed up with chef Ben Palmer of the Sardine Factory in Looe and Mike Naidoo, who featured on Great British Menu, to bring together a special fundraiser dinner at The Sardine Factory on January 31.
The ticketed event will offer a six-course dinner with an auction, DJ and dancing. Everyone is contributing free of charge to raise as much money as possible for Jodi.
Speaking of the event, Fred said: "Jodi requires another two rounds of treatment, so Ben and I were thinking of ways to help her and we thought this fundraiser dinner was a good idea because we both enjoy cooking. We really wanted to do something that was special and we wanted to host this event in January when everything is blue but we can make a celebration of it.
"We have got some great suppliers who have been kind enough to offer their produce to us, so we have been able to say that the full ticket price will be going towards Jodi's fund. We will also be doing a charity auction, so if any businesses wanted to donate something for that then they can get in touch with me at The Fish Market or Ben at The Sardine Factory and we will happily pick it up or they can drop it off."
Fred said the fundraising effort so far for Jodi has been incredible and shows the importance of support from local communities. "When Jodi comes into town now, we joke that she is like a local celebrity because people feel like they have been part of her recovery journey, whereas for other people, treatment like that is a lonely place," Fred said. "It just shows that if you are going through something and you speak out about it, people will help you in your community.
"Jodi is a real extrovert who is always laughing and the loudest in the room. She is a really big local person in the community, she's a hairdresser and her family has been in Looe for generations and they are just really genuinely lovely people."
Jodi, who has recently travelled home from a round of treatment in Turkey, said on her Instagram: "To all my amazing family, friends, clients and all the wonderful people that my story has touched.
"The response we had from the crowdfunding page and Ben Palmer’s personal appeal was so overwhelming that it has taken me this time to process. I never thought I would be in a position to have to reach out to others for help.
"My diagnosis in January was so blind siding and my road narrowed so much that so many choices were taken away from me. All your kindness, love and financial support has enabled me to have hope but most importantly to be able to be treated at a clinic with incredibly skilful oncologists in Istanbul."
She added: "I can’t express how much this has meant to my courageous daughter, Connie, my ever loving, supportive partner, Sean and my incredible family. I wanted to let you know that I have just completed my second round of treatment out of five. The treatment itself is gruelling but I am staying as positive as I can each day.
"I will try and keep you all updated when I can. Again, I will never be able to put into words what you have all done for me. I hope you can understand how much strength, focus and determination it has given me to heal. Every time I get on the plane to Istanbul, each and every one of you come with me."
To find out more about the fundraiser dinner and how to donate, visit The Sardine Factory Restaurant page here.
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