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1 in 2 Australians will get cancer by age 85.
Rome Torti is that one.
He is 32 years old… his son Ryder is just about to turn 4.
Doctors discovered an incurable tumour in Rome’s brain - a
Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade 4 Malignant Brain Tumour.
They
gave him 2 months to live.
That was over 5 years ago.
And
the story of one man’s determined battle against cancer began.
Rome did all the chemo, the radiation, and a bunch of
alternative treatments. He isn’t just fighting for his life – he is
fighting for memories with his son and his wife and best friend
Rachel. When you’re four years old, every moment is a new memory and
Rome is determined to create a lifetime of them with his little boy.
And for a while, his fight worked. Although the tumour stayed
there, it didn’t grow… until one day it did. This time, the aggressive
nature of the tumour and its place in Rome’s brain meant there were no
options that would keep the cancer at bay.
Doctors said there was nothing major they could do – until one
doctor said there was. Dr Charlie Teo took Rome’s case and told him he
could perform the miracle he was searching for. But superhero brain
surgery isn’t cheap – and Rome and his family had spent every dollar
they had fighting the cancer so far. It was time for a miracle.
Friends and family stepped in and decided to share Rome’s story
and hope desperately that ‘people power’ would help raise some cash
towards Rome’s operation. And it turns out, that in a world where
everyone is touched by cancer in some capacity, Rome and his refusal
to give up really struck a chord.
In less than a week, Rome’s story – and fighting spirit – spread
like wildfire. Thousands of people from across the globe rallied. They
donated, they shared Rome’s story, they sent inspiring messages of
support. They believed in the power of a miracle. In a little over a
week, we raised $100 000 to get Rome his surgery… and just in time. Dr
Teo bluntly said that without the surgery, Rome would have been
paralysed imminently, and his fight would have ended soon after.
But the surgery didn’t go exactly to plan. The aggressive tumour
had wrapped its tentacles around blood vessels through Rome’s brain
and extracting it caused partial paralysis, loss of speech and memory
and a huge rehabilitation mission.
Rome Torti – as you may have guessed – is a man who not only
defies the odd, he also doesn’t give up.
Within a few hours, he
was talking.
Today, less than three months later, he is walking.
Rome works hard every day to try and restore function to his
paralysed right side. And he continues to fight. Now, knowing he can
take every chance, Rome is risking it all.
Dr Teo has given Rome the thumbs up to head to Germany and
undergo immunotheraphy treatment there that has been getting
unbelievable results. (You can find out more about it here: http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/brisbane-scientists-celebrate-medical-breakthrough/xdiwh2t)
Now, we reach out again to the strangers that became friends –
to share Rome’s story, to donate in any way if you can, to get him to
Germany and support him and his family when they return.
This is the story of one man taking on terrible odds and
winning. A man who is determined to continue fighting for memories and
who is prepared to take chances so one day, someone else will get the
future he is desperate for.
This is the story of a man who never gives up… and who you’ll
never give up on either.
You can follow Rome's fight here and check out his YouTube Channel here
Want to know more about the treatment in Germany? Read On...
Q: What’s in Germany that’s not in Australia?
A: They have clinics that offer holistic treatment
incorporating modern and complementary treatments. They do the same
tre...atments offered in Australia in conjunction with newer
treatments like dendritic cell therapy and immunotherapy which have
been used with success in Germany for the past few years. They also
may do intensive localised chemo which is not available here for Rome,
but they will also give vitamin infusions in conjunction to minimise
the effect on his immune system.
Q: How experimental is this treatment?
A: It is out of "trial" in Germany and is part of
their treatment plans.
Q: Has anyone else had it?
A: Yes! Hundreds of patients and even quite a few Australians
who have travelled to Germany.
Q: What does Dr Teo think of it?
A: He has given us his blessing.
Q: What sort of outcome could this treatment provide for Rome?
A: It can "buy" him more time, hopefully until it is
available in Australia and we are still very hopeful for a miracle!
Q: Why don't we have this in Australia?
A: It is currently in phase 3 trials in Australia but only
available to newly diagnosed glioblastomas (Rome’s is recurrent). We
were also wary about taking take part in a trial and being given the
placebo… it's not a risk we want to take!
Thank you to everyone for your support so far!
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