Southport radio presenter launches fundraiser to help her get potentially life-saving cancer treatment

A popular radio presenter from Southport says she is “devastated, heartbroken and scared” after being told by doctors that she has just six months left to live.

Cassie James, who has cancer in her skin, leg, lungs and breast, has one chance of staying alive longer – if she can raise enough money for unique treatment in Israel, which will cost £120,000. 

Friends have now set up a fundraiser on the Just Giving website to support the 60-year-old mum-of-two, with people able to donate here.

Cassie, a radio presenter on Mighty FM, said:

“I had the shock of my life phone call from the hospital Clatterbridge consultant on July 13th saying I have six months to live.

“I have just been told that I now need specialist treatment in order for me to continue living. This treatment is only available in Israel, at a cost of £120,000. I am devastated, heartbroken and scared.

“The funding is for treatment they don’t do in this country potentially will save my life

“My amazing team at Clatterbridge have given me the information and recommendation for this treatment, but I just don’t have that kind of money unfortunately.

“It’s not done in the UK for someone like myself as I have breast cancer as well of which there is no evidence of disease at this time. I can’t walk properly any more and need a wheelchair when I go out now.

“I can’t get out on a trial due to having two different types of cancer also. Very unfair I know.

“I am doing all natural and alternative treatments to try to keep the progression at bay and slow it down as far as possible.

“I am one of only two people in the UK in this situation.

Time is of the essence now to get the money to get me to Israel to try to save my life.

“The cost is approximately going to be around £120,000 that includes the TILS and any other medication they think I will need.

“It also includes flights to get there and I will have to have someone with me due to my impacted mobility as the cancer is in my leg and lungs.

“What makes this unusual is that this type of skin cancer is not caused by the sun, it is usually seen in Asian, black, Hispanic and Mediterranean skin types.

“Israel is a leader in the world for this type of treatment and has been recommended by the team looking after me at Clatterbridge.

“Please, I know times are hard, but if you can help please do. Please share far and wide. Thank you.”

Cassie, from Southport, previously battled bilateral breast cancer, a lesion in her brain and melanoma in her foot and groin.

Cassie has two children, Jonny Wright who lives and works in Manchester as a conveyancer, and Stacey Wright, a designer for H&M, who lives in Sweden.

Cassie with her son and daughter, Stacey and Jonathan Wright

She was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in August 2016. Medics also discovered a lesion in her brain which they think was a result of her breast cancer. Half way through her treatment she was told she had a melanoma on the sole of her foot as well.

Following Stereotactic Radiotherapy Surgery to the lesion in her brain she underwent a gruelling seven rounds of chemotherapy. Cassie had to have bilateral lumpectomies and nodes removed from both armpits and she also had to have a complete hysterectomy.

Cassie, shortly after going through chemo for her breast cancer, had to have the melanoma taken out of the sole of her foot just before commencing radiation for her breast cancer and was on crutches for over four months along with having to undergo radiation for her breast cancer at the same time. A year after she had the melanoma was removed from the sole of her foot she was told that she had a melanoma in her groin.

Cassie had to undergo a groin dissection and have 10 nodes removed. This left her with acute pain from lymphedema.

Despite her pain and her gruelling challenges, Cassie continued to work as a volunteer radio presenter for local community radio station Mighty Radio in Southport.

During lockdown she was an amazing support for the community of Southport as she kept the listeners informed of all the local businesses that were trading and doing deliveries, as well as highlighting others who needed support.

Fiona Aldred from Mighty FM said:

“The community of Southport are very proud of Cassie and despite all that she has gone through she has worked and continues helping and supporting the community.”

Mighty FM Station Manager Paul Tasker said:

“Cassie has been at Mighty from the very start. Since we launched on FM, she has worked every day and given up her time every day to commit to her radio show.

“She has even worked round her hospital appointments in order for her to still do radio shows from home. On odd occasions she has done radio shows from her hospital bedside. She is so dedicated to her work.

“Cassie has done lots of fundraising for community projects, helped find people accommodation, including international nurses throughout the pandemic. She will help anyone.

“I just want the community to now get behind Cassie James and we help her raise funds for the treatment she needs to win this battle, before it’s too late.”

Would you like to help Cassie? You can donate here.