Lifelong Brentford fan Jamie Powell is calling on the football community to help raise much needed funds as he continues his fight against a rare form of cancer.
The 41-year-old father of two saw his world turned upside down in June when he had a seizure in his sleep with two months of tests finally revealing he had Osteosarcoma (an aggressive bone cancer).
Due to its location in Jamie’s skull, regular chemotherapy will not cure the cancer, only slow it with the best alternative, proton beam therapy, not widely available in the UK.
This specialist form of radiation only targets the cancerous cells and not the surrounding brain tissues meaning a much larger and more powerful dose can be given without damaging the other surrounding areas of the brain.
Jamie has travelled to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for the lifeline treatment – but it costs hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Therefore, a crowdfunding page was set up to help pay the expenses with a target of £350,000.
So far over £250,000 has been raised for the Brentford season ticket holder with the page shared across social media, garnering reposts from not only Brentford fans but Fulham, QPR and as far afield as Newcastle United.
“We’ve been so touched by the response,” Jamie’s brother, Dan Powell, told London Football Scene.
“People’s generosity has been unbelievable, and we are so grateful as a family.
“The football world has really come together as one, and it shows there are no rivalries when it comes to things like this.”
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Brentford have also offered to help with fundraising events in the future with current players such as Ivan Toney and former stars like Ollie Watkins getting involved.
“Brentford are a very family-oriented club, and everything they’ve done has been fantastic,” Dan added.
“The togetherness, the way they look after the fans, you feel like you’re part of the club. It’s just been brilliant.
“If you are in a position to do so, please consider donating. Any amount is greatly appreciated by the entire family.”
If you wish to donate to Jamie’s fundraiser, please visit Jamie Powell’s Journey fundraising page.