Mesothelioma Patient Gambles on Life and Wins Big

A mesothelioma patient bet bookmakers $145 that he would live longer than doctor’s predicted.

Buckinghamshire, England resident Jon Mathews could collect nearly $51,000 if he continues to win his battle with mesothelioma through next summer.  Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure.

After undergoing mesothelioma treatment, including lung surgery in 2006, doctors told Mathews there was nothing more they could do and encouraged him not to make any plans for Christmas that year.

Mathews placed a 50-1 accumulator bet with bookmakers William Hill, betting he would live longer than the doctor’s prognosis.

“I asked for the doctor’s prognosis in writing and she explained they had never heard of anyone surviving mesothelioma beyond two years after diagnosis,” said Mathews. Mathews has already collected nearly $7,300 in June 2008, could pocket an additional $14,500 this summer and stands to collect the final $29,000 in the summer of 2010.

“In a way it’s a shame the bet is only valid for three years – because the way I feel right now I’m indestructible,” Mathews stated. “These wins are a huge incentive to stay alive.”

Mathews plans to donate some of his winnings to Macmillan Cancer Support, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with cancer.

As for the rest of the money? Mathews plans to use the excess winnings for cigarettes, beer and the occasional bet.

“I smoke 30 cigarettes a day, enjoy a pint and like the occasional flutter (small bet), especially when I’m winning,” he said.

Mathews says his survival is due to an Indian doctor of homeopathy, stating, “All the main stream doctors could prescribe for me was morphine but this healer put me on a course of herbal medicines that have not only changed, but prolonged my life.”

Graham Sharp, spokesman for William Hill said Mathew’s bet request was very unusual, but the bookmakers accepted since Mathews was “adamant that it would give him an additional incentive to battle his illness.”

“Never in 30 years in this business have I been so pleased to pay a winning client,” said Sharp.

Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 at 12:17 pm and is filed under Asbestos Exposure, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Treatment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.