Woman's loved ones fundraise for 'hope and light'

Islanders have been urged to rally behind fundraising efforts to pay for cancer treatment for a woman who was raised in Guernsey.

Beth Kitson Gouarin was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2019 and given just 18 months to live at the age of 27.

Over the past six years, Beth has undergone treatment in the UK as well as private treatment in Germany, such as specialist immunotherapy which is currently unavailable on the NHS.

However, after the progression of her cancer, her friends and family are fundraising £120,000 so she can access further treatment abroad.

Her husband, Joshua Kitson, said: "Over the last six years, Beth's been an incredibly strong human being and has manged to find solutions in some of the darkest corners for her cancer.

"Recently, she was diagnosed with a new enhancement of her brain cancer, and we have found ourselves in a position where we have the answers, but don't have the resources."

The £120,000 fundraising target has been set to cover Beth's travel, living expenses, and the cost of specialist treatment in Germany, with each trip set to cost between £6,000 and £7,000.

Other costs include further treatments such as ultrasound radiotherapy and proton therapy, which is each estimated at up to £70,000.

In response to Mr Kitson's appeal, islanders and friends of the couple, Jessica Hubert, Dom Rowe, Sam Hamperl, and Kristina Baker have come together to organise local fundraising events.

Kristina said: "Beth grew up in Guernsey and her family and so many friends are still here.

"Even through relentless treatments, she's always tried to return when she can.

"When we learned Beth's cancer had progressed, and that money was the only thing standing in the way of her continuing her fight, we knew we had to act.

"Beth has been a source of hope and light even as she's faced unimaginable challenges."

The group is holding a 6km (3.72 mile) Walk for Beth, which is a ticketed event for 10:00 BST on 24 August, starting and ending at the Peninsula Hotel in Vale.

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