When Keshia Liburd first felt the twinge in her jaw, she didn’t think her life was in danger. The 38-year-old mum from Almondbury, Huddersfield, thought she simply needed a filling.
“I went to the dentist in 2023 thinking it was just a bit of dental work,” she recalls. “They checked and told me my teeth were fine. I left thinking I’d just wait it out.”
But the pain didn’t go away.
Months later, in September, Keshia began to feel a different kind of discomfort — a deep ache in her chest.
“I rang 999 because it felt wrong,” she says. Paramedics took her to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, where an X-ray revealed something unexpected and devastating: ALK-positive lung cancer — a rare, aggressive type that often strikes non-smokers and shows no warning signs.
The Diagnosis No One Expected
“I didn’t even have a cough,” Keshia says. “No shortness of breath, no wheezing — just a toothache. Then suddenly, they’re telling me I have cancer.”
At the time, the cancer was at Stage 3. The ALK-positive label meant her tumour carried a genetic mutation that fuels rapid growth but can respond well to certain targeted drugs. She started chemotherapy immediately.
By January 2024, she received incredible news: no visible cancer. But the relief didn’t last. Just three months later, scans showed the disease had returned — and spread.
Her Stage 4 ALK lung cancer had now invaded her liver, lymph nodes and brain.
Since then, she has endured:
- 30 rounds of radiotherapy
- Multiple courses of chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy sessions
Each treatment brought temporary relief, but the cancer kept advancing.
The Clock is Ticking
Keshia’s oncologists have warned her that if her cancer continues to grow over the next 12 weeks, there will be no further options for her in the UK.
That’s why her family is desperately raising £40,000 for ALK lung cancer treatment in Germany at the WEGE Clinic in Bonn — one of the few places offering advanced therapies not available on the NHS.
The proposed treatment includes:
- Trans-arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) – delivering chemotherapy directly to tumours via the blood supply
- Dendritic cell therapy – an immune-boosting approach designed to help the body recognise and attack cancer cells
“I’m not ready to give up,” Keshia says. “I want to be here for my children, to guide them, love them, and watch them grow.”
DONATE TO KESHIA’S GOFUNDME FOR HER LIFESAVING CANCER TREATMENT
A Family Fighting Together
Her partner Jimmy and her children — Josiah (17), Sienna (14) and Ezekiel (9) — have thrown themselves into fundraising efforts.
Kirsty says Keshia’s fight is a reminder that lung cancer isn’t just a smoker’s disease:
“It’s a silent killer. Keshia didn’t have the symptoms people expect. She deserves to see all her children grow up.”
When Toothache Means More Than Tooth Decay
While Keshia’s case is heartbreaking, it’s also medically fascinating — and a warning sign to both doctors and patients.
What is ALK-positive lung cancer?
This rare type of non-small cell lung cancer is driven by a genetic abnormality where the ALK gene fuses with another, creating a “fusion protein” that sends cells into uncontrolled growth mode.
Although it accounts for just 3–5% of lung cancers, it tends to affect younger patients — often non-smokers — and is known for spreading quickly, especially to the brain and bones.
In some cases, it can even cause symptoms far from the lungs. In Keshia’s case, the cancer’s nerve involvement caused “referred pain” in her jaw, mimicking toothache.
The Science Behind the Pain
Tumours in the upper lungs, particularly Pancoast tumours, can irritate nerves that share pathways with facial and oral nerves. This can trick the brain into thinking pain is coming from a tooth or jaw.
In rarer cases, cancer can spread directly to the jawbone or gum tissue. While this accounts for only about 1% of oral tumours, around a quarter of those cases are the first sign of an undiagnosed cancer elsewhere.
For dentists, this is a red flag:
- Persistent oral pain without a dental cause
- Jaw numbness or tingling
- Swelling or loose teeth without gum disease
ALK Lung Cancer Treatment – Then and Now
A decade ago, a diagnosis like Keshia’s was almost always fatal within months. But targeted ALK lung cancer treatments have changed that outlook dramatically.
Drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) — such as alectinib, brigatinib and lorlatinib — can block the faulty ALK protein and shrink tumours, even in advanced stages.
Patients can now live years, sometimes with a good quality of life, but resistance to these drugs is still a major hurdle. This is where experimental treatments, like those in Germany, may help by offering approaches that aren’t yet approved in the UK.
The Race to Raise £40,000
Every day matters. The longer Keshia waits, the more aggressive her cancer becomes. Her family’s GoFundMe is not just a fundraiser — it’s a lifeline.
Fundraising events are being planned across West Yorkshire, from sponsored walks to community raffles. Local businesses have also stepped up to donate vouchers and prizes.
Her children have even joined in, organising bake sales and small charity stalls, determined to do what they can for their mum.
Beyond Keshia’s Story – A Community Wake-Up Call
Huddersfield residents have been rallying around Keshia, but her journey is also sparking wider conversations about health awareness.
Local GPs and dental clinics are urging patients to report unusual symptoms and to push for further testing if the first diagnosis doesn’t add up.
There’s also a growing recognition of the importance of support networks for families facing long-term illness. Workplaces, for example, are being encouraged to review their policies on compassion leave, flexible hours, and mental health resources.
The Emotional Toll
Cancer doesn’t just take a physical toll — it reshapes family life.
Keshia’s cousin Kirsty says the disease has already affected her mobility and memory due to the brain metastases. “She’s deteriorated rapidly in front of her children’s eyes,” she says. “That’s something no family should have to go through.”
The thought of leaving her children without a mother drives Keshia to keep fighting. “Every day, I wake up thinking about them. That’s why I have to keep going,” she says.
How to Help
Keshia’s GoFundMe is still live and accepting donations. Sharing her story, donating, or organising a local event can all help her reach the £40,000 target.
For those unable to give financially, moral support — messages, cards, and community engagement — is just as valuable.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-keshia-access-lifesaving-cancer-treatment-in-germany
A Message from Keshia
“I want people to know that lung cancer can happen to anyone,” she says. “You don’t have to be a smoker. If something feels wrong, push for answers. It might save your life.”
She hopes that by sharing her story, others will recognise unusual symptoms sooner — and that she’ll inspire people to fight for every day they have.
Keshia Liburd’s fight against Stage 4 ALK lung cancer is a story of resilience, community, and the desperate need for more treatment options. From the dental chair in Huddersfield to the prospect of life-saving therapies in Germany, her journey reminds us all of the power of awareness — and the strength of a family’s love.
On our page we have guidance on inclusive workplace strategies to ensure employees facing medical crises — or supporting family members — are not left isolated.
Published by William Tams, Daniel Fox, Ahmad Syad, Kenzi Roberts
