DUBAI // A man who set up some of the UAE’s most popular English-language radio stations now needs life-saving treatment for a brain condition.
But his family says he can no longer afford it.
Briton Jeff Price, 43, has been a prominent figure in radio, on the microphone and behind the scenes, since moving to Dubai 22 years ago.
In February, after having headaches and neck pain during physiotherapy, he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition causing a build-up of fluid in the brain.
An MRI scan revealed that all four ventricles in his brain were filled with fluid.
“It’s very rare for someone of my age to develop hydrocephalus and the condition was found to be very complex,” Price said. “This, of course, was a huge shock to myself and my family, here in Dubai and back in the UK.”
In March, a shunt was fitted to draw the fluid away from his brain but it malfunctioned. A replacement valve fitted last month also needs to be replaced.
“This is needed to literally save his life,” said his sister, Emma Bartholomew, a PR professional in London.
“We are desperate to get him the treatment he needs. Other treatment will also be necessary but diagnostic tests have not yet been carried out due to lack of insurance cover and funds.”
Price lives with his wife Cynthia and children Maddy, 13, and C J, 3, in Jebel Ali Village. The family has paid for treatment from their own pockets and with the help of friends and colleagues.
But Ms Bartholomew said her brother was now unable to afford treatment. He needed Dh300,000 for a another shunt procedure and treatment for ancillary symptoms and complications.
“Jeff is not able to fly back to the UK to explore treatment due to the pressure in his brain, and after 22 years in Dubai he is also no longer entitled to free NHS treatment in the UK,” she said.
Price helped to launch the country’s first commercial radio station, Radio Four, in 1997. He helped to set up Virgin Radio and the now-defunct stations Radio One and Two, and worked as a TV presenter on City 7 and Dubai One.
More recently, he has been running the UAE’s first children’s radio station, Pearl FM (102FM), since launching it in October 2014, inspired by the four years he spent volunteering at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital radio in London, where he honed his craft before moving to Dubai.
“Jeff could see the incredibly powerful impact that listening to a friendly voice and favourite songs had on the children, how healing and therapeutic it was, and he vowed then that he would continue to work in the provision of services for children,” Ms Bartholomew said.
Within months, Pearl FM attracted the fastest-growing audience in the region and a sister Arabic station is expected to be launched soon.
Having endured two rounds of brain surgery, Price’s symptoms include blurred vision, short-term memory loss, irritability, nausea and numbness.
But he was determined to return to Pearl FM's studio at Al Jalila Children's Centre last month to present a session of his show, Jeff Price and Friends, despite having a valve in his head running through his chest and down to his abdomen.
“Wanting to continue in our quest to provide support for parents, and also create some awareness for those having to manage chronic medical conditions,” he said on Facebook that day. “Putting two words together has been a challenge for me since January.”
Ms Bartholomew hopes that some who have heard and been inspired by her brother over the years will help to pay for his treatment, as Price has helped others. Her brother does not want to impose on others but needs medical treatment urgently.
“Jeff has fought for justice for those unable to fight for themselves, by leading campaigns for children and migrant workers,” said Ms Bartholomew.
“Now, at a time when he needs help himself, he does not feel able to ask for it directly.”
Under recent changes to UK rules, British expatriates living outside of Europe are no longer automatically given universal health care.
Those who return to the UK to use National Health Service hospitals will be billed 150 per cent of the cost of treatment if they are without sufficient insurance.
Donations can be made at https://gogetfunding.com/help-jeff-price/
newsdesk@thenational.ae
