Strangers Rally to Support Young Mom with Terminal Cancer, Raising $54,000 for Experimental Treatment
Rachel Burns, a 22-year-old mother from Northern Ireland, faced devastating news shortly after her daughter Raeya’s first birthday. Persistent dizziness and eye irritation led to a diagnosis of an advanced-stage brain tumor with a rare and aggressive mutation, leaving her with an estimated four months to live.
A Heartbreaking Diagnosis
The young mother found herself in a heartbreaking situation, struggling with the reality that she might not see her daughter grow up. “I left that appointment with no real hope and I didn’t know how to tell my mum and the rest of the family, I didn’t want them to get upset. It felt like everything had just been taken away from me at that point,” Burns told Belfast Live.
A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the grim prognosis, Burns and her partner quickly sought out possible treatments, leading them to an experimental therapy in Germany known as ONC201. This treatment, discovered in the last decade, aims to induce tumor cell death by expressing a gene encoding tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL).
Community Support and Fundraising
To afford the costly treatment, Burns and her partner set up a GoFundMe page. The response was overwhelming: within 24 hours, they raised £30,000, and within six days, donations continued to pour in, eventually reaching £48,000 of their £60,000 goal.
The Power of Community
The generosity of strangers has given Burns a renewed sense of hope. “Belfast is such a small place but you never think that people from all over would show as much kindness as they have done for me and my family. It is a scary time to be going through all of this but this has given me more hope that I can spend some more time with my family,” she said.
Moving Forward
With the funds raised, Burns is now planning her trip to Germany for the experimental treatment. The outpouring of support has provided her with an invaluable opportunity to fight for more time with her loved ones.
Gratitude and Hope
“I just want to say thank you to every single person who has donated so far, you don’t know the difference it has made to me and my family,” Burns expressed. Her story is a testament to the power of community and the profound impact of collective kindness during the most challenging times.
Sophia H.