Cork man's girlfriend hopes fundraiser will help complete his 'bucket list' after terminal diagnosis

A fundraiser has been launched to help a Cork man achieve his 'bucket list' goals after receiving a terminal brain cancer diagnosis.

Lee Burgess, (31) who was a previously healthy man, suffered a seizure in June and, following a brief hospital stay, he returned home. Three weeks later, he suffered another fleet of seizures before a large mass was discovered on his brain.

In under two months, Mr Burgess received his terminal diagnosis and underwent open brain surgery. While the surgery was successful, seeing 75% of the mass removed, his life expectancy has been cut to 18 months.

The Ballincollig native was told he had an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer, otherwise known as a stage four glioblastoma.

A glioblastoma is an intricate tumour with tentacle-like roots, that is a fast-growing and quickly creates its own blood supply, and is highly resistant to traditional cancer treatments.

Speaking to The Echo, Lee's long-term girlfriend, Jade Maples said Lee has always wanted to visit Switzerland, but due to financial constraints, they would be unable to achieve this bucket list goal without launching a GoFundMe campaign.

“I'm definitely still in shock, it’s been very scary,” said Ms Maples. 

“The doctors told us on average he’s looking at 15 to 18 months – which is the most devastating part.

“It’s a very grim diagnosis and we don’t know how well the chemo and radiotherapy is working right now.

“There are some promising clinical trials out there too, which have helped people to live a little longer, but there’s been no real breakthrough in it," she added.

“The main symptom he’s experiencing is he has no feeling in his left hand."

Ms Maples said they would hope to look at further treatment options in the coming months, such as clinical trials. “But they are extortionately expensive, so we wanted to prioritise his bucket list,” she added.

“Lee has always wanted to go to Switzerland, and also on a cruise, but both of those things are expensive,” said Ms Maples.

“He’s only on week two of his radiotherapy and chemo, so he has another four weeks of that and he can’t go anywhere during that time.

“He’ll then take a month off, and be put on a higher dose of chemotherapy for six months. So, depending on how he’s feeling, we’d hope to get to Switzerland sometime next year – or maybe even for Christmas this year.” 

The GoFundMe target is currently set at €16,000, with just under €3,000 of that raised so far.

While the majority of funds will be used to help Lee achieve his goals, any left over money will go towards additional treatment.

“It's hard to put a price on how much you want to ask people for. We’re not really looking for a specific amount, but if you’re able to spare a couple of euro to help us achieve his bucket list, we would be so grateful,” said Ms Maples.

To make a donation to the campaign, visit raising-funds-for-lee-to-live-his-best-life on gofundme.com.