A CHESTER artist battling cancer is fighting to raise funds for rare treatment that would prolong her life.

Kerry Williams, 59, was given the devastating news last October that after four years of remission, her cancer had returned and spread to her liver.

Her oncologist told her that without treatment, Kerry had a year to live.

To make matters worse, a potentially life-saving NHS clinical trial in chemotherapy saturation of the liver (Delcath) was no longer available.

Chester and District Standard: Kerry Williams with rescue dog Dexter.

Now Kerry and her husband Mark, 61, have set up a crowdfunder to raise the huge sum required to fund chemo saturation therapy, which is currently only available privately in the UK at the Spire in Southampton.

The couple say the private treatment costs £40,000 per session, and Kerry could need up to six sessions.

Despite the huge ask, already more than £54,000 has been raised on the crowdfunding page, 'Funding Kerry's Cancer Treatment', and that has meant Kerry has been able to start her treatment – but more support is required.

Kerry is a visual artist who has worked in a range of media, including film and video, and has been working from her studio in Snowdonia, North Wales.

Chester and District Standard: An example of Kerry Williams's artwork.

Her work – painting, making short films and curating screenings of artists moving image programmes – has been featured at international film festivals and galleries, including the Rotterdam Film Festival, BBC Two's The Late Show, The ICA, the Lux, as well as having her work on display for Hull City of Culture 2017.

She has shown work in Caernarfon, North Wales, at places such as Galleri, and has been a part of Helfa Gelf.

Kerry was first diagnosed with ocular melanoma, a type of eye cancer, in 2016. It is an extremely rare cancer that affects just six in one million people.

She underwent a number of operations and treatments to remove a large tumour from the back of her right eye.

The couple say that, thanks to the wonderful medical staff at the Royal Liverpool Hospital who removed the tumour, they saved her sight. Following the treatment, she had regular MRI scans and blood tests every six months.

But the couple were devastated to receive the news during the October Covid lockdown that the cancer had returned and spread to the liver.

The chemo saturation therapy requires a hospital intensive care bed. Chemo saturation of the liver has shown success in prolonging the lives of patients with metastatic ocular uveal melanoma, reducing and stopping tumours in over 60 per cent of cases.

Chester and District Standard: Kerry Williams.

They added: "Sadly we don't have the financial resources to fund it all ourselves and really need a further £160,000 to fund a proportion of the overall cost of the treatments.

"We realise that due to the Covid-19 pandemic this is a very challenging time to fundraise as people are facing financial hardship.

"But we would be very grateful for any donations no matter how big or small and any fund raising efforts on Kerry’s behalf."

In the most recent crowdfunding page update, Kerry explained she is due to have her second round of treatment later this month, and added: "Thanks to everyone for your amazing generosity so far; I’m incredibly grateful but please can you continue to support and share my fundraiser."

To support the fundraiser, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/funding-kerrys-cancer-treatment

Chester and District Standard: Kerry Williams, pictured with husband Mark and rescue dog Dexter.