Strangers have stepped in to raise thousands of pounds for a mum who has a tumour only usually seen in children.
Katie Flynn, who was diagnosed with an incredibly rare brain tumour, usually only ever seen in younger children, has now suffered a stroke during surgery.
The 34-year-old from Bootle, had been unwell for a number of weeks before she received her diagnosis back in December 2021.
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She had started to suffer from a variety of symptoms back in 2021 - she had pins and needles in her arms and legs and was fatigued.
Katie was diagnosed with an Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT) which is a tumour on the primary central nervous system.
ATRTs begin in the brain or spinal cord are classed as grade IV tumours, which means they are a malignant and fast growing form of cancer.
ATRTs are mostly diagnosed in infants and toddlers, and symptoms vary according to the location of the tumour and the age of the patient.
The most common symptoms are headaches, vomiting, loss of balance, and changes in levels of activity.
A GoFundMe page was set up by family friend Nicola Bailey, who has been keeping followers updated with Katie's progress.
Loved ones, friends and even complete strangers have managed to raise over £4,000 to support Katie and her family.
Nicola's recent update said: "I know everyone is wanting an update and everyone wants to know how Katie is.
"As you can imagine her family are so upset by everything happening and needed time to process all of this information.
"Katie had her operation on 22nd of February, unfortunately due to complications she has been on a ventilator since and hasn’t come round yet.
"She suffered a stroke during her operation which has led to other complications."
She added: "The family are by her side and continue to wait for some progress.
"As you can understand they are inundated, so if people could be mindful of this as there trying to process all of this too."
58 people globally are diagnosed with this tumour with only two of them ever being adults.
The doctors are have not been able to give a prognosis due to the rarity of Katie's tumour.
Nicola previously told the ECHO : "There are 7.8 billion people in the world and 58 of them are diagnosed with it, two of them are adults and she's one of them.
"Friends and family are having to rally around them and the kids. Her partner is a taxi driver, but she’s needing 24 hour care when she’s out of the hospital.
"It’s been quite rapid really. She's lost a lot of her ability to walk or do simple tasks independently, so as her partner is self-employed and she’s out of work.
She added: "He’s had to take time off work and obviously family are looking out for her as well, so if they’re both not working, it’s just become a bit of a struggle."
The operation had planned to remove 90% of tumour before starting chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Nicola has told the ECHO that Katie still "has not come round" and that she is "in the ICU".
For further updates on Katie's progress, the fundraiser, and to donate - click here.
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