After an editor on Netflix’s smash hit Sex Education was diagnosed with an inoperable stage four brain tumour, his wife knew she had to do everything to try and find a treatment for this deadly disease.
Steve and Francesca Ackroyd, from North London, make the journey to the IOZK Centre in Cologne every couple of months.
They have been funding the treatment for Steve’s glioblastoma themselves through fundraising, and their consultants have confirmed that it is working, providing Steve with more time with his young daughter.
Over the past three years, Francesca has been supporting Steve through his treatment whilst fundraising and “still experiencing amazing joy in life.”
When making those initial journeys to Cologne, Fran said: “It was absolutely terrifying, but we had two amazing pals who dropped us off and then another pal who came to pick us up.
“We had various people forming an incredible community that got together because Steve was too poorly for me to travel with him alone.”
This community spirit continued as former producer Francesca organised a walk through the capital, called ‘Save the Sex Editor’, to fund a year’s worth of treatment.
At that point, the tumour could no longer be seen on the scans.
However, although controlled, the tumour has reoccurred, which inspired more fundraising to give Steve more time.
Steve has garnered support from celebrities such as superstar chef Jamie Oliver, Irish actress Sharon Horgan, and comedian Rob Delaney.
They have all participated in fundraisers and posted about Steve’s Big Fat Raffle, where you can win prizes such as Beyoncé and Oasis tickets, a holiday to Italy, and tickets to see the BRIT Awards.
The star-studded raffle could give Steve another few years with his daughter whilst Francesca continues her fundraising quest.
Francesca said: “We have too much fight to give up yet, and because we have seen such a reduction in the tumour, we must keep going.”
In the UK, studies into brain tumours only makes up 1% of overall cancer research, even though they are the leading cause of cancer deaths in people under 40.
The research done in places like IOZK gives people like Steve another chance at life, and Francesca’s raffle is giving their family another few years of laughter and joy.
Tickets for the raffle are just £5, and all proceeds will go towards treatment for Steve’s Glioblastoma.
Other prizes include a trip to Abba Voyage, tickets to see Coldplay live, two Florence + The Machine concert Tickets, four McFly Tickets, a hot air balloon ride, and many more.
Tickets will be drawn on 18 May.
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