4 days Ago
The family of a new mum are raising funds for her treatment following her heartbreaking cancer diagnosis, which she got just two weeks after giving birth. Gemma Small, 30, from Deane, received the devastating news that the cancer had metastasized to her liver following a routine MRI scan last month. Ciaren Hughes, Gemma Small and baby Samuel.
(Image: Ciaren Hughes) Gemma had previously been diagnosed with lupus in 2018 and following issues with her eyesight, was later diagnosed with uveal melanoma. After undergoing treatment at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital for a year, Gemma was given the all clear and could finally carry on life as normal. She has been engaged to her fiancé, Ciaren Hughes, 33, and the pair, who have been engaged since 2017, welcomed the arrival of their baby Samuel on February 3.
READ MORE: Bolton: Mayor gets £750 for charity from Duchy of Lancaster Charity sees 'record' number of homeless needing help Bolton charity working to combat loneliness in the borough Yet despite their joy at becoming new parents, just two weeks after giving birth to Samuel, the family received devastating news following Gemma’s routine liver scan. A shadow had been detected on her liver and the cancer had metastasized to the liver itself. Gemma's family are rallying to afford her private treatment.
(Image: Ciaren Hughes) Gemma’s fiancée Ciaren said: “It’s been an extremely difficult situation for both of us, especially Gemma. “She has to take immune immunosuppressants, so her body would take more time to recover from certain treatments for the cancer. "There are no viable treatments available on the NHS due to the complexities of Gemma’s long-term conditions.
The test results from this left us with the information that there are no viable treatments available on the NHS due to the complexities of Gemma’s long-term conditions. (Image: Ciaren Hughes) “Gemma needs four rounds of private treatment. Each one will help give her more time with us, more time that we can spend together as a family.
“Each round of treatment must cost around £50,000.” A fundraiser for Gemma’s treatment has been set up by her family, with any funds left over at the end of her treatment will be donated to help other people access lifesaving or life extending treatments too. Already around £10,000 of the £200,000 goal has been raised.
Any funds left over at the end of her treatment will be donated to help other people access life-saving or life extending treatments too. (Image: Ciaren Hughes) Ciaren added: “Gemma is resting at the moment, she’s extremely tired and she’s going through tests, but this news has come as a shock to everyone. "I’ve had to ring close family and friends to spread the word.
“The silver lining is the support we have both received, people have been fantastic in getting the word out for us. “We’re at a point where the NHS can’t do much, so we’re really relying on people to come together. “More than anything else, we want to pull through this and make memories.
"We both want to give Samuel so many special memories to look back on and know how much he has been and is loved, when he is old enough to do so.”.
