Public helps mum fight ‘the big C’

A WOMAN from the Central Highlands has thanked those from the region and beyond, who have supported her family during a fight with cancer.

Claire Spencer is from Newlyn North, but said support for her and her family had ranged from family and friends, to people she’s never met, from places she’s never visited.

This is the second time Ms Spencer has been diagnosed with cancer, after originally getting a diagnosis of Stage 1B cervical cancer in 2019.

“I’d been really well for the last three or four years, but a month or so ago I got a DVT in my leg, had a bit of a cough, and started getting some weird vision stuff going on.

“They found clots in my lungs, brain…they did a scan of my abdomen and found the cancer had come back, and had metastasised and was Stage 4.

“My best friend Sam and I thought, let’s see if we can raise $5000…then she came back and said let’s try for $10,000, but let’s not get our hopes up, cost of living is hard for everyone right now,” she said.

“It’s completely blown my mind as to how generous people have been despite their own circumstances.

“Obviously family, friends, and friends and friends have contributed to the GoFundMe…but people I’ve never met before have messaged me saying they’re in my corner…I don’t even know the words to describe that.”

From a goal of $10,000, just over $30,000 has been donated to Ms Spencer’s GoFundMe page at the time of writing.

“The support means that I can focus on getting to my appointments, and my husband helping me get there, and not worrying about the mortgage and losing our home,” she said.

“We have modest savings, but definitely not enough to cover something this significant. The first thing I thought when I got the diagnosis was ‘we could lose everything’.

“No-one should have to think that way. This money means we’re okay for a little bit, and I can focus on taking my medicine and heading to my appointments.

“Thank you so much to everyone who’s supporting me…each hour I’m humbled by your generosity. It’s allowing me to rest without panic or fear…I’m so thankful.”

If you’d like to support

Ms Spencer and her family, visit the GoFundMe page at gofund.me/4c292095.