County Antrim mum's plea for help with spiraling cancer care costs

By David Hunter

A Co. Antrim woman fighting a life threatening form of cancer has pleaded for help to fund her spiraling health-care costs.

Aundrea Bannatyne was given six to twelve months to live when she was first diagnosed with a pancreatic tumour in July 2015.

Doctors in Belfast told the 43-year-old she should go home and spend time with her family whilst continuing treatment.

The mother of two young boys says she was criticised by doctors for seeking a second opinion on a fatal prognosis.

She says :“They simply wrote me off. A doctor told me that if I left the hospital that day there might not be a bed waiting for me again when I got back.

“I had an actual row with him in the hospital that day and told him I wanted to get a second opinion on my health, for my life.

“I was still happy to be getting the care but when you’re told something so serious you just want to make sure”.

Aundrea’s father, Richard, recommended a visit to the  of the Hallwang Clinic in Germany and, after consultations, doctors in Europe said her condition could be treated, but could not be cured.

Aundrea’s made three trips to the clinic for the private treatment which could cost in excess of £50,000 per visit.

“I know I have cancer, and I know it can’t be cured” said Ms.Bannatyne.

“But if they can even hold it at bay I have to try, I have to try for my boys. Who knows, it might only be two years, it might be five years or ten years, but at least that’s more than I was getting in Belfast.”

Aundrea also has to pay for chemotherapy in Northern Ireland after reacting badly to her initial treatment.

Each round of the drug ‘Abraxane’ costs around £2,800.

“If I lived in Scotland, with a certain post code, I’d get Abraxane for free” she told Q radio news.

 “I’ve worked since the day and hour I left school at 16 years of age, I’ve never claimed any benefits and now I’m having to pay. 

“What is the difference? Why is there a difference? What is so different between me and someone in Scotland?

“Because I live in Northern Ireland, another part of the UK, I have to pay for medicine that’s free somewhere else” She said.

LISTEN HERE - Aundrea speaks to David Hunter from QRadio news:

The mother of two says the recent RHI Scandal at Stormont has blown her confidence in politicians and their ability to reform healthcare here.

It paid out more than the cost of fuel for people switching to Biomass boilers and failed to implement efficient cost controls.

It meant some beneficiaries could earn money for the more fuel they burned, coining the term ‘cash for ash’ to describe the scandal.

“If I didn’t have Aundrea’s Army, and I couldn’t pay for that Abraxane, are they just going to let me die?" She questioned.

“They need to explain to me how they made decisions, do they just say were going to give out this money to this area?

“That six hundred million pounds burnt a hole in their pocket. That is a joke!”

“That money could have been well invested in the NHS and in the schools. I find it Infuriating and I think it’s absolutely disgusting If I’m honest.”

Aundrea’s children Jack (14) and James (11) are staying with family whilst she’s undergoing treatment for the tumour.

The Dundonald woman has also been forced to move in with her parents because she often suffers fatigue, nausea and pain which require regular assistance.

The 'Aundrea’s Army' fundraising group has now launched the “pound for a life campaign”.

They want people to donate £1 to help pay for treatment in Germany, which could top £380,000 in total for all of Aundrea's medical bills.

“People out there will say ‘I can’t just donate a pound’, yes you can!” She said.

“That one pound will help me and words just are not enough to describe how thankful and grateful I am.

“For everything you’ve done so far I will be eternally grateful, as will my two boys, because for them you’re saving their mummy.

“Without your help and your support I won’t have the future of a life.”

You can donate to the campaign here.

Aundrea has also asked anyone who’s suffering with extreme lower back pains, changes in stool colours or a dramatic and sudden loss in weight to visit a Doctor.

“It could be minor, but pancreatic cancer often isn’t caught until it’s too late. Please, please go and seek help because early detection is key” She urged.