Luton Town backs academy player's sister in race for brain cancer treatment
Luton Town has rallied behind the sister of one of its academy players as she races to raise more than £320,000 for vital brain cancer treatment in America.
Jaimee Sharp, 28, is the sister of Luton Town Under-18 academy player Alfie Sharp and mum to five-year-old Teddy. She has been diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer, and is now hoping to take part in a clinical trial in the United States.
Jaimee has been offered a place on the trial at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio, which is investigating a targeted drug for patients with high-grade brain tumours.
But her family needs to raise £320,516 to cover the costs associated with the treatment, including medical monitoring, travel and accommodation. With just weeks to raise the money, Luton Town has stepped in to support the family.
In an interview with Luton Town FC Jaimee said: “I started to have some headaches, and they didn’t stop for about four days straight. I went to the hospital in the end, and they scanned me and told me I have incurable brain cancer.”
She added: “It was a huge shock to the family. I was just devastated. From that one word my whole life completely changed and instantly worried about my little boy.
"I just couldn’t process what was being told to me at the age of 28. It’s just something that you never think would actually happen to you.”
The club's first team players have donated their Carabao Cup shirts to help raise money for Jaimee's treatment putting them up for auction for supporters to bid on, with the club also encouraging fans to donate directly to Jaimee's GoFundMe appeal.
Jaimee's story has been shared across its social media channels, helping bring the fundraising appeal to a wider audience.
Her family is hoping the Luton community can help close the remaining gap and give her the chance to pursue the treatment in America.
The fundraiser says Jaimee's type of cancer has a median survival rate of around five years, although individual outcomes can vary. She has said the opportunity to take part in the trial has given her hope that she could have more time with her son Teddy.
At the time of publication, the GoFundMe had raised more than £220,000 towards its £320,516 target.
To support Jaimee's fundraiser or bid on one of the Luton Town shirts, visit the links shared by Luton Town Football Club.