Bid to fulfil dad with terminal cancer's dream

A FUNDRAISER has been launched to help a dad with a killer illness fulfil a final dream with his devoted family and to raise awareness of a vaccine which could save the lives of other men.

- by PAUL GREAVES

Alex Bryant, 39, has end stage throat cancer. He has been unable to eat since Christmas Day 2024 because his jaw no longer works and he relies solely on a feeding tube.

Doctors have delivered the devastating news that they have no hope of curing the disease.

Alex, who lived in Newton St Cyres and went to Queen Elizabeth's School in Crediton, probably has a year left, though every person reacts differently to cancer.

His wife, Samara, has one final wish - to buy a motorhome and go on one final adventure under the stars together, enjoying what time they have left together with four-year-old son Ace and to visit family and friends in the UK.

Samara also wants to deliver a message about throat cancer in men. She says there has been a sharp rise in head and neck cancer in men due to the HPV virus - which is usually associated with cervical cancer. Though screening is offered to all women, most men don't realise they can easily get a vaccination.

A fundraiser has been launched by Alex's best friend and has so far raised more than £9,000.

Samara has talked about her husband's daily battle with the disease - stage four tonsil cancer diagnosed on December 23, 2024 - and the devastating impact on their lives. It came as a double blow not long after he was told he had type one diabetes.

"His last proper meal was Christmas Day 2024 where we had roast beef - his favourite," Samara said. "Since then he has struggled to eat as he couldn't even fit a fork in through his mouth due to the tumour growing into his jaw muscles."