Irvine man Khurum Jabbar, who runs Zain’s Curry House in Dalry, has opened up following the death of his wife Shahzia.
The 36-year-old mother of three succumbed to melanoma last month after a brave battle following her diagnosis in October last year.
“Shahzia’s cancer was a rare, aggressive type and she was given no more than a year to live,” Khurum said.
“We were desperate to find something that would keep her alive for longer and scoured the world for a possible cure. We tried immunotherapy, without success
“Then we were given great hope when Shahzia was accepted for a trial of a new drug in a London hospital.
“Then, one day, out of the blue as she was preparing to go to London, they phoned and said they’d pulled the plug on the trial.”
It was hoped that Shahzia may be able to undergo treatment in Turkey but unfortunately that proved unfeasible.
Khurum added: “I spoke to the hospital in Istanbul and they offered to examine her suitability.
“In April we went there for a biopsy. At the time we were told that the treatment won’t work for between 8-10 per cent of patients. “We felt confident the odds were in her favour.
“Alas, Shahzia was in that small group who couldn’t benefit from the treatment. After that setback she lost heart and went downhill.”
Khurum will now step into the boxing ring later this week at Glasgow’s River Palace in her memory and with her blessing.
It will be a second white collar bout for the heavyweight who will be fighting on the RT Elite bill.
Khurum previously fought on the promoter’s bill in January and raised more than £3,000 for Cancer Research in his wife’s honour.
As he prepares for the first event since her passing, the business boss says the sport has been a massive support during an incredible difficult time for him and his family.
He commented: “In the gym I need to focus on the fight and there are always other people there like promoters Raz and Baz Parnez, to keep my spirits up.
“They’ve been like a family to me.”