A father-of-three has issued a heartfelt plea for help after being told there are no more standard treatment options left for his aggressive blood cancer.
Ghazanafar Ali, a devoted dad and the only breadwinner for his young family, was diagnosed last year with multiple myeloma – a rare and aggressive cancer of the blood.
Since then, his life has been consumed by gruelling hospital visits, rounds of chemotherapy, and the crushing fear that he may not live to see his children grow up.
Ghazanafar’s three children, aged just 17, 15 and 9, remain his driving force.
“For me, everything is about my children – their education, their future, the hope of being there for them as they grow,” he said.
“But my world turned upside down when I was told I had multiple myeloma. It’s been a constant battle ever since.”
Treated at St James’s Hospital in Leeds for the past two years, he has undergone three lines of chemotherapy, including a promising new drug called Elranatamab.
Yet despite initial hope, recent test results revealed that the cancer is once again advancing.
Doctors have now stopped chemotherapy, leaving Ghazanafar without further NHS options unless he qualifies for a clinical trial outside the city. For now, he is taking a drug called Pomalidomide, but it is no longer working as doctors had hoped.
His only remaining lifeline is CAR T-cell therapy, one of the most advanced cancer treatments in the world. But while this pioneering treatment offers real hope, it is not available on the NHS for his type of cancer – and the cost is staggering: around £500,000.
“I want so badly to fight for my life – for my children, for my wife, for my elderly mother, and for everyone who loves me. I’m not ready to give up,” Ghazanafar said.
“But without this treatment, I may not have much time left. I believe that with the kindness of strangers, I can make it.”
The family has launched a fundraising appeal to cover the cost of the therapy, travel, and specialist care. Every donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward giving Ghazanafar the chance to survive.
And in an act of generosity, he has promised that if, in any event, he does not survive, any remaining funds will be donated directly to helping other cancer patients.
“If you cannot donate, please share my story – every share could connect me to someone who can help,” he added.
Ghazanafar has promised to keep supporters updated every step of the way. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, for caring, and for standing with me in this fight.”
To donate, please visit Ghazanfar’s fundraising page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/im-fighting-cancer-for-my-children-and-elderly-mother
