Bishopbriggs man lands in Japan as over 160k raised to treat rare cancer found in X-ray

A man has landed in Japan to undergo “lifechanging” treatment for a rare form of bone cancer after a fundraising effort raised over £160,000.

After falling on an icy street in Lenzie on New Year’s Day in 2021, Shaun Atwal discovered he had broken his humerus bone following an X-ray – but in February further tests revealed he had osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.

Following successful chemotherapy and a 12-hour long operation to remove the cancerous bone – which was replaced with metal – the 27-year-old went into remission for seven months.

However, in June last year, a scan revealed that his cancer had returned.

Shaun’s family found alternative immunotherapy treatment “autologous adoptive-cell transfer immunotherapy” in Japan, which they hope will help give him the best possible chance to be “free of this disease”.

The treatment uses three types of white blood cells with the cells grown from the patient’s own in order to limit the chance of a bad reaction.

Following a successful GoFundMe campaign which raised over £133,000, Shaun’s best friends organised a fundraiser event at the Eagle Lodge, in Bishopbriggs, on Saturday, which raised over £30,000 to add to the total for his treatment abroad.

Shaun arrived in Japan on Tuesday, and has his first appointment at a cancer clinic on Friday, November 24.

His sister, Luvleen, shared her gratitude to everyone involved in the fundraiser.

She said: “Oh my God! We have raised over £100,000!! The love for this boy is unreal. Thank you for donating, sharing and caring about my darling brother.

“So great seeing him back with his friends, back smiling and back in the pub for the first time this year!

“Thank you to everyone who was involved in organising this, everyone who bought tickets and attended and thank you to everyone who made it a great night showing Shaun how loved he is.

“Japan, Shaun is coming for you!”