Please help save our brother, husband, son Gunnar

Kjersti Berg Tufta is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Gunnar Tufta.

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Please help save our brother, husband, son, uncle….Gunnar

Gunnar Tufta, my dearest little brother, is a born fighter who now faces his greatest challenge yet: fighting a terminal CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) diagnosis with a rare and aggressive mutation called Richters Transformation.

"I have promised that when I am clear of this illness, I will devote time to good causes. A promise I am looking forward to keep!" -Gunnar, 2020.

Gunnar and his wife Emireth have spent the past few months researching all possible treatments available internationally and have found hope in CAR-T and other trials, with treatment options lined up with top medical teams in Cologne, Germany and New York City.

The biggest hurdle to treatment is the overwhelming cost starting at around 250,000 USD in USA and 350,000 Euro in Germany. The couple has borrowed all they can but it’s not enough. With the cancer advancing rapidly, Gunnar has only a few weeks of eligibility to start a new treatment.

We deeply appreciate any contribution to help someone so beloved because the world is truly a better place with Gunnar in it.

In Norway Vipps can be used with number 48498475

Gunnar’s Story

From the cold November day 42 years ago, when he arrived, blue, with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, Gunnar has lived his life with determination and an unbreakable will, ready to walk through fire for those he loves. He has an unbelievably kind, thoughtful, honest and insightful soul and is by nature a ‘give-it-your-all’ person.

All this is reflected in his work, as a fashion photographer, entrepreneur, publisher and artist advocate, his life choices, his endless care for others - and in his journey fighting a terminal illness.

In 2016, three months after he was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Gunnar met his soulmate Emireth. She is his angel, and has stood strong and joyful by his side throughout these years. She cares for him, sleeps in the hospital chair next to him, lights up his life and smiles with him every single day. She often says: “I am so lucky to love him! I am so happy!”

The battle intensified in 2019 as the CLL mutated into Richter’s Lymphoma. Gunnar was treated with heavy rounds of chemo and finally underwent a high-risk stem cell transplant with the hope of being cured. Four months later, CLL and Richter’s Lymphoma had a relapse.

The fight continued with more intensity….but so did life! In July this year Gunnar and Emireth finally married and are celebrating life as newlyweds. : )

In Emireth’s words: “Sometimes we take for granted simple everyday joys, the beauty of a smile and the daylight sun. Gunnar has taught everyone around him how important is to appreciate them and to be grateful for being healthy.”

A week after the wedding, we got the devastating news that Gunnar’s medications were no longer working and the cancer was progressing with a vengeance. Because it is such a complicated and rare illness, doctors in Norway don’t have the experience nor knowledge to treat it. Gunnar and Emireth are basically left to find their own path to a cure. But thanks to many wonderful expert doctors in Germany, USA and China, they have found high hopes of a full cure in CAR-T and new medicines.

Time is a luxury Gunnar and Emireth have very little of at this point, they need to move parallelly with the process of raising funds while preparing for the next treatment. But Gunnar is strong, in good shape and full of energy to continue the fight.

In Emireth’s words: “Just as we have invested our time doing research of treatments, trials, diets, doctors, etc. We want to continue these tasks going forward sharing our knowledge with other people who suffer Richter´s transformation.”

Thank you for considering our request, and even if you are not in a position to give help us share this message far and wide to those who might. The world needs to hold on to Gunnar!

With Love,

Kjersti Tufta, on behalf of Emireth and our parents, Jarle and Mai.

In Norway Vipps can be used with number 48498475