Hatfield Heath man Lee Beetles launches £19,000 appeal to help other chemotherapy patients at Princess Alexandra Hospital while he fights incurable lung cancer

A Hatfield Heath man with incurable lung cancer has launched a £19,000 appeal to buy a special machine for the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.

Lee Beetles, 45, has already raised almost £10,000 of his target for the Williams Day Unit, where he is being treated.

He said: “Our hospital currently has only one scalp cooling machine, which can help just two patients at a time to reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss.

“However, the Williams Day Unit treats about 70 to 80 patients each day who are undergoing chemotherapy. This means many patients miss out on this opportunity to keep their hair.”

Lee was one of the lucky few to benefit from the cold cap equipment.

He said: “I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, an incurable condition, and have begun a challenging journey of chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment projected over the next two years.

“Throughout, one of the toughest things patients face is the hair loss caused by chemotherapy. For many, including myself, losing hair is an emotional and difficult side effect, impacting self-esteem and wellbeing during an already stressful time.”

Lee was born in Epping and grew up in Chigwell, moving to Hatfield Heath nine years ago. The web developer and systems trainer lives with partner Nicole, 44, who runs her own cleaning and ironing business.

He was diagnosed on June 19 and completed his first chemotherapy cycles in July, with more sessions in August and September. Then he will have immunotherapy treatment every six weeks for two years.

The father of two grown-up children said: “They’ve said the lung cancer is most likely genetic, as I have never smoked, and it’s the second most common lung cancer a smoker would get.”

To support Lee’s appeal, see https://www.gofundme.com/f/cancer-cold-scalp-cap.