Ten months ago a much loved member of our spec fic community, Melbourne writer and Clarion South graduate Paul Haines, was found to have large tumor encircling the lower part of his bowel. After months of gruelling surgery, radiation and chemo, a scan has showed up spots on his liver. One spot is a particular worry due to its location near
a major vein. Paul’s liver surgeon has recommended waiting to see if any more spots appear before operating again — they don’t want to chop out half his liver only to find more spots are flowering on the remaining half. If that happened he’d be too sick then to look at different forms of radiation and chemotherapy.

So during this waiting period Paul will try the other two forms of chemotherapy for cancers like he has in combination with a monoclonal antibody called Avastin. Chemo fights the tumour, the antibody fights the blood vessels feeding the tumour. Unfortunately, Avastin is not part of Medicare or the private health system’s funding at this stage, so he’s having to come up with $20,000 to pay for it.

An appeal is currently underway to help Paul and his family raise money towards the cost of his treatment. Many kind people have already made contributions, but I thought I’d post information on how to donate so others may do so as well if they would like to.

Paul is a great guy: a talented writer, loving husband, doting father and good friend. You can read about his battle with cancer on his blog:

paulhaines

  (warning – this blog is very graphic in its attention to unpleasant detail)

and here is a link to where you can donate via Paypal.

If you would rather deposit directly into Paul’s account, contact me offlist for details.