Former Emmerdale actress Leah Bracknell is ‘humbled’ and thanks fans for raising £55K for lung cancer treatment
The TV star has thanked her well-wishers as her GoFundMe account tips surpasses their goal amount
EMMERDALE star Leah Bracknell has thanked her fans for raising over £55,000 to help her continue her battle with terminal lung cancer.
Leah, who who played Zoe Tate on the soap for 16 years, revealed she had been diagnosed with the illness on 6 October.
Alongside her partner Jez Hughes, Leah set up a GoFundMe page to try and raise £50,000 but that target has been smashed.
A statement on Leah's GoFundMe page told fans: “What an incredible response, thank you all so much!!!
“We're in deep gratitude from the bottom of our hearts. We really didn't expect such an dramatic reaction when we put the post up on Facebook a couple of days ago.
“It is humbling to witness the generosity of the human spirit.”
The statement confirmed the money raised meant Leah was able to visit the specialist Hallwang clinic in Germany.
It continued: “We've reached our initial target which means Leah will be able to visit and stay at the clinic for the first batch of treatment. We are in contact with them and waiting for clinical results of the tests to be passed on.
“It's all been such a whirlwind. Depending on Leah's response to the treatment, it may mean more visits, so it is an ongoing campaign.
“We pledge, however, that anything extra raised that doesn't go towards Leah's treatment we will donate to other campaigns to help those facing the same struggle.
“We've also received incredibly kind offers of help, advise and support from many experts in different fields.”
On Monday, the former Dales star shared a picture of herself standing underneath a rainbow – something the actress and her partner Jez believe is a positive sign.
The statement added: “We have already had positive signs in Leah's healing journey, which have surprised the doctors.
“She is taking many herbal and alternative medicines, including healing oil, which seem to be having an affect.
“But most importantly she is concentrating her mind and spirit on being well. The amount of support and love has also been amazing and I know is having a positive effect.
“We believe in the power of collective intention and the power of the human spirit to heal.”
Leah wrote about her diagnosis when she set up the fundraising page.
The previously fit yoga teacher wrote the post under her real name of Ali.
It read: “My abdomen suddenly ballooned and within a matter of a few days I looked heavily pregnant. I could barely walk or breathe.
“Then, one Saturday night at the beginning of September I ended up in A & E.
“I was subsequently given an emergency procedure to remove a large amount of fluid from around my heart.
“However, the bad news is that I have been diagnosed with lung cancer, stage 4. In their opinion, that means it’s terminal, not curable, not operable.
“A fairly brutal and bleak diagnosis but one I am determined to challenge and see from the perspective of ‘a glass half full’, going against a lifetime of pessimism, negativity and fear!”
Mum of two Leah was the first lesbian character on a British soap and won Best Exit at the British Soap Awards when she left the show in 2006.
Since then she has been teaching yoga and meditation after moving to Worthing, Sussex.
After the news was made public, Leah’s former co-stars have sent messages of love to their friend.
On Monday, her pal Lisa Riley spoke about Leah’s plight during an appearance on Loose Women.
She said: “I couldn’t believe it about her.
“You don't know what's around the corner, she didn't smoke or booze.
“To get the news is unbelievable – when all the press thing dies down, I will call her.”
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