A Bermondsey comedy night has raised £1,200 for a man seeking overseas treatment for his “aggressive” brain cancer.
John Greengrass, 68, has a Glioblastoma stage four brain tumour (GBM) but many of the treatment options aren’t available on the NHS.
Visitors poured into the London City Runners bar to show their support for the beloved family man and enjoy a night of laughs, on Thursday, December 7.
John, who is from Ingatestone, Essex, wrote: “GBM is very aggressive and has an average survival rate of less than a year, but some patients are able to win the battle if they can afford treatment options overseas that aren’t currently offered by the NHS.
“I’m determined to try everything I can to beat this thing and to help broaden the treatment options available for others in the future, which is why my wife, children and I are fundraising to pursue ground-breaking treatment both in the UK and abroad.”
John received his short diagnosis in October and has already undergone surgery but the cancer that’s spread elsewhere in his brain still needs treatment.
Some of the treatment options have been approved by the NHS but won’t be available until next year.
“Which sadly is too long for me to wait,” John wrote.
So John, his wife Susan, and two children Jennifer and Michael, need to raise £225,000 to pursue ground-breaking treatment abroad. They have so far raised roughly £19,000.
John, a retired financial advisor, is a much-loved community figure in his Essex home.
He is treasurer of a local railway society, chair of a local golf club, loves daily walks with his wife, and is known for making a “mean marmalade”.
The comedy night saw performances from Gbemi, Sophie Zucker and Dane Buckley.
Donate to John’s fundraiser and keep track of future fundraising events using this link.