Help Sandra in her Battle Against Cancer

Dear friends,

I am reaching out today ahead of Mother’s Day (30th March) with a heavy heart to ask for your support for our dear Mam Sandra Whelan (Marshall).

In December of 2023 not long after her 58th birthday having been suffering on and off with what was thought to be post covid symptoms, Mam was hospitalised with pneumonia. A scan showed up something that ultimately changed her life and ours. After numerous tests she was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in March 2024. Initially doctors had thought the Cancer was just in her lung and in June she spent weeks in Dublin hospital and got a lung removed followed by four months of chemotherapy in Waterford. We had every hope that this had been successful but unfortunately a lump on her neck that was overlooked for the entire duration of treatment was eventually biopsied in September 2024. It turned out to be cancerous and she received the bad news in November, the day after her 60th birthday. Further tests were done in Cork in November and December and stage 4 cancer tumours also showed up in her head.

Mam started off the New Year in Cork receiving radium on the tumours in her brain just a week after welcoming her newest grandchild into the world. There is 80% chance that if successful this radium will help prolong her life by freezing the tumour. The next step was to be neck surgery to remove a tumour that is protruding out of her neck causing discomfort. Unfortunately the surgeon Mam was sent to under public care said he won’t do the surgery so we are seeking a second opinion by going private. Mam will face more radium and possibly surgery over the coming months.

Anyone who knows Sandra will know how much she is dedicated to her grandchildren. She is known to her friends for her outgoing love of life, meeting socially for walks and she has a love for gardening and the outdoors.

Unfortunately, the burden of this illness means she cannot return to work where she was a childcare worker and this is now taking a toll. Living alone, bills building up, treatment costs, travel and daily expenses are becoming overwhelming.

While there is no cure, with this funder our intent is to, as they say, buy time for our mother, pay for a second option and private neck surgery if the surgeon will do the surgery. It will also be to assist Mam with bills associated with her care, travel expenses and acomodation.

Any donation large or small will help provide crucial support for Sandra as she continues this incredibly difficult journey.

Thank you for your support.