A Stockport family who are set to lose their mum early are asking for donations so they can pay for treatment and ‘make memories’ for their children.
Lucy Canavan, 36, has been given around three years to live after being diagnosed with stage four breast cancer that has spread into lymph nodes, armpit, neck and liver.
It's been a difficult year for the family.
Lucy's husband Jon cannot work as he developed a blood clot in his lung and pneumonia after catching Covid-19 months ago.
In light of the desperate situation, Lucy and Jon, from Edgeley, are asking for money so they can live their lives to the fullest.
“[It was] total shock, and it still hasn't really sunk in even though I'm coming to the end of my first lot of chemotherapy,” Lucy told the Manchester Evening News.
“Apart from finding lumps I've not had any symptoms or felt or been sick until I started the treatment.”
The couples’ illnesses make it hard for either of them to work.
Jon has been signed off for three months, and Lucy is only able to work part-time.
Lucy, who works for the Covid-19 testing booking service, added: “[It’s] very difficult at the moment as Jon is off work sick with his blood clot on his lung. He is on the mend but it is slow.
“I'm working from home part time when and where I can among all the appointments and when not feeling unwell.
“We try to keep things as normal as possible for the kids, so when up to it, [we] still have lots of trips to the park — but [we’re] also lucky to have family and friends who help out when and where needed.”
When asked what the family hoped to use the money donated for, she explained: “Donations would be put towards an amazing family holiday or days out to make lots of memories.
“[It] would also help me plan my funeral so my family don't have to do that and to leave them with a little when I'm gone.
“Also, if possible, to go towards any treatment if needed as all treatments [that] aren't available on the NHS.”
Commenting on her diagnosis, she added: "Breast cancer won't wait until your 50 to strike, which is currently the age for mammograms in the UK.
"It's so important to check yourself woman and men if all ages, 300 men a year get diagnosed."
Thus far, the couple have raised hundreds, but are a long way short of their £10,000 target.
