27.8.2024 | Charity

Porttalk is sharing the story of Rob Armstrong (58), a man battling an extremely rare form of cancer—so rare that it hasn’t even been named yet. Despite the best efforts of his medical team, the source of Rob’s cancer remains undiscovered.

Rob has been a dedicated member of the local shipping and logistics community, working for Svitzer on the tugs for 24 years. Given his long-standing ties to the community, the Armstrong family (Rob, Alison, Loti, and Stephen) is appealing to the generosity of our local supporters to help raise essential funds for a new intravenous treatment called trastuzumab deruxtecan, which has shown promise in cases similar to Rob’s.

Each round of treatment costs £ 14,000, and the hope is that it will help reduce the size of the tumour, lessen the constant fatigue, and improve mobility on his right side. Rob’s daughter, Loti, shares Rob’s and the family’s journey:

“In January 2023, Dad hurt his back helping a friend and (for the first time in 23 years) had to take some time off work to heal. During this rest period, Dad started to experience pins and needles on the right side of his body. Three weeks later, after several doctors’ visits and some scans, we found out his back pain was caused by a very large tumour growing in the middle of his brain, pressing on his nerves and receptors.

“Each week after that, he exhibited new symptoms at an alarming pace, losing vision, sensation and motor function. His infamously sharp wit softened, and he grew fatigued quickly.”

The only treatment he has received has been gamma knife radiation therapy in June 2023- a procedure typically done once but was administered to my Dad five times.

“I’ve mourned Dad’s eyesight, his mobility, his strength and our future.

Despite all this, thankfully, I have yet to mourn his hope.

“The drug that can possibly help Dad has now gone from trials to being authorised. Dad will need at least four treatments, one every three weeks, at a cost of £14,000 per treatment. My brother is generously paying for the first, and we need to fundraise for the others. It would be truly appreciated if you could help in any way possible. Thank you.”

You can support Rob by clicking here. Whether large or small, any contribution will make a difference. Please consider giving what you can and sharing Rob’s story with others you may also be able to help. Together, we can make an impact and show the Armstrong family they are not alone in this journey. The Armstrong family would like to thank everyone for their generosity and kindness.