Thirteen years ago, Amanda Clark lost most of the sight in one eye to a rare cancer. She thought the worst was behind her. She was wrong.

Today, the 62-year-old probation worker faces a far more aggressive adversary. Her ocular melanoma has metastasized to her liver. It is a ticking timebomb. Now, she is turning to the public to fund a treatment that could buy her the one thing she values most: time.

The Limits of Conventional Care

For years, Clark lived with the knowledge that her condition carried a 50/50 chance of spreading. In 2021, that fear became reality when scans revealed lesions on her liver. After a period of stability, those lesions began to grow in 2024.

She has already endured complex surgery and grueling immunotherapy. The latter left her severely ill, yet the cancer persisted. Her medical team suggested clinical trials, but the path to enrollment is narrow.

"There are that many people and not enough places," Clark said. "Every one they've put me forward for, there have been no places or they've stopped the trial."

She is hitting walls. The system is failing her. She needs an alternative, and she needs it fast.

What is Chemosaturation?

Clark’s only remaining viable option is chemosaturation, a specialized procedure not currently available on the NHS. It is a precise, high-stakes intervention.

During the procedure, surgeons use X-ray guidance to isolate the liver’s blood supply. They then deliver a concentrated dose of chemotherapy directly into the organ. By sealing off the liver, doctors can saturate the tumors with drugs while filtering the blood before it returns to the rest of the body. This minimizes the systemic toxicity that makes traditional chemotherapy so debilitating.

It is effective, but it is expensive. Each procedure costs £40,000. Clark requires at least three. That is £120,000.

The Race to Fundraise

Asking for help does not come naturally to Clark. She is a woman who has spent her career helping others navigate the probation system. Now, she is the one in need.

She has launched a GoFundMe campaign, which has already seen over £4,000 in pledges. It is a start. But the gap between her current funds and the required £120,000 remains vast.

Her motivation is simple. She wants to be present for her son, who lost his father in 2024. She wants to be there for her partner. Her latest scan, taken six weeks ago, shows the largest tumor at 2.5cm. While others remain stable, the growth is a reminder that the window for intervention is closing.

"I am in prime position to have this treatment because it would be beneficial for me," she said.

What Experts Say

Medical experts often emphasize that ocular melanoma that has spread to the liver is notoriously difficult to treat. Because the liver is a common site for these metastases, researchers are increasingly looking toward regional therapies like chemosaturation to improve survival outcomes.

While not a cure, these procedures are designed to extend life and maintain quality of life for patients who have exhausted standard systemic options. However, the lack of widespread availability means that for many, the barrier to entry is financial rather than purely clinical.

Key Takeaways

  • Amanda Clark is seeking £120,000 to cover three rounds of chemosaturation, a specialized liver treatment for metastatic ocular melanoma.
  • The procedure is not currently funded by the NHS, forcing patients to seek private financing for life-extending care.
  • Clark is currently stable, which doctors indicate makes her an ideal candidate for the treatment to be effective.

Clark hopes to secure the full funding by the end of the year. The clock is ticking. For her, the next few months will determine whether she gets the chance to fight on her own terms.