My name is Angela Xavier, and I’m reaching out not for myself — but for my daughter, Carena.

Carena was just 10 years old when she was diagnosed with leukemia in July 2006. What followed were five agonising months of chemotherapy, endless hospital stays, and the kind of suffering no child should ever face. We were overjoyed when she went into remission, but our relief was short-lived. In October 2007, she relapsed — and our world turned upside down again.

We launched a public appeal to find a bone marrow donor — you may even remember seeing her story in the local news. Despite overwhelming support, no match could be found. Eventually, Carena underwent an experimental stem cell transplant using her own blood. It was a brave and risky decision, but it saved her life.

However, that same life-saving treatment has left her unable to conceive naturally.

Today, Carena is almost 30 years old. She is alive, strong, and full of hope. But one dream remains — the dream of becoming a mother herself. As her mum, I want nothing more than to see her experience that joy and love.

IVF is her only path to motherhood, and the cost is steep — over £10,000. This includes the IVF procedure, fertility medication, consultations, and more.

Why We’re Asking for This Amount

Because of the cancer treatment Carena received as a child, she now requires both an egg donor and a sperm donor. This significantly increases the cost of treatment and makes the journey more complex and delicate.

The funds we’re raising will go toward:

Accessing donor eggs and donor sperm

The full IVF procedure

Hormonal and fertility medications

Specialist consultations and tests

Cryopreservation and embryo transfer

These are the building blocks of the dream Carena has held onto since she was a child — not just to survive cancer, but to live fully, and one day, to become a mother.

We cannot do this alone. That’s why I’m asking — from one parent to another, from one human to another — for your help.

Please donate if you can. Please share this page with others. With your help, my daughter can take the next step in the life she’s fought so hard to live.

Thank you, from the depths of my heart.

With hope,

Angela Xavier