A GoFundMe page has raised £100,086 in just two weeks for Chew Valley resident, Georgia ‘Porge’ Bryant, whose recent battles with leukaemia have seen her require a clinical trial from the USA, as the NHS cannot fund the medicine she needs.

Georgia has been battling leukaemia for the past seven months, but after undertaking both chemotherapy and radiotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, she was devastated to discover the treatments had failed.

The clinical trial Georgia requires may be her only option, but unfortunately there is no availability on a UK trial for her, and she will therefore need to travel to America. The estimated cost of the treatment is £100,000.

Two years ago, Georgia’s close friend Abbie required treatment for cervical cancer, and Georgia led months of fundraising with the Chew Valley Friends for her. Unfortunately, Abbie passed away in June 2016, but from Georgia’s efforts, a large amount of money was raised for the Teenage Cancer Trust in Abbie’s memory. In a cruel twist of fate, only a year later Georgia was diagnosed with leukaemia.

A statement on the ‘Pounds for Porge’ GoFundMe page reads: “After three months of chemotherapy and intense radiotherapy, and with thanks to the Anthony Nolan Trust for identifying a donor, on 5th January Porge underwent a bone marrow transplant. Following her transplant she spent a gruelling three weeks in isolation as part of her 100 day post-transplant recovery period. Porge responded in textbook fashion to her treatment, improving day by day.

“However, just as she was beginning to feel ‘sexy’ again, life threw yet another hurdle her way. On 3rd April, Porge was taken back into hospital where she discovered that her Leukaemia was back.

“After initially being told that she only had a ‘glimmer of hope’ in terms of survival, the Professor in charge of Porge’s treatment has now advised that she is able to take part in a clinical trial which has the potential to save her life. This treatment comes at a cost. It’s complicated, but the NHS cannot fund the medicine Porge needs, so we’re asking the Chew Valley and the nation to come together and support us. What has already been a battle for Porge is only about to get harder, but we know we can achieve this with your help.”

At the time of writing, the GoFundMe page has raised a staggering £100,086 of the £150,000 goal in just fourteen days, donated by 2,490 people.

Local sports teams from Chew Valley, Wells, Clifton, and even the Bristol Saracens wore mismatched socks over the weekend to show their support for the cause. Georgia has been an active member of Chew Valley Cats women’s rugby team for many years as a player and coach.

If you would like to support the ‘Pounds for Porge’ campaign, please visit: www.gofundme.com/poundsforporge