Michelle Gemmell is 39 and lives in Bellshill with her husband Darren and their three girls – Zara (11), Paige (9) and little Sophia (6). She’s a mum first and foremost, a devoted wife, an energetic nursery teacher and known by her family and friends as the life and soul of every party. Everything she does, though, is for her three girls.

Michelle was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, at the same time her dad was battling cancer himself. Sadly, he passed away, and Michelle had to face her own diagnosis while grieving the loss of her father. She went through chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy, and in January 2023, she was told the words every family hopes to hear – she was all clear.

For two years, life felt normal again. School runs, family days out, bedtime chats and plans for the future. Michelle soaked it all in.

Then, in June 2024, things took a turn for the worse. After months of pain, breathlessness and sleepless nights, Michelle was taken to A&E. Scans showed the cancer was back – this time as aggressive, triple-negative secondary breast cancer that had already spread.

Since then, Michelle has faced treatment after treatment. One chemotherapy caused a severe allergic reaction. Another made the cancer spread faster. A third worked briefly before the cancer took hold again, spreading to her lungs, liver, spine, lymph nodes and rib cage. Through it all, Michelle kept going – for Darren, and for the girls who ask every day when Mum will feel better.

In January 2026, what looked like a chest infection turned out to be further progression of the cancer. Michelle was told the NHS had no more treatment options available for her.

For most, that should have been the end of the road – but Michelle refused to give up.

After hours of research, she found a treatment in Germany called TACE (Transarterial Chemoembolization). It targets the tumours directly and has helped others in similar situations. It isn’t available to Michelle through the NHS, but it offers something she’s been running out of: hope.

Each trip to Frankfurt costs around £6,000, covering the procedure, travel and accommodation for two. Michelle needs up to 10 sessions, meaning a total of £60,000.Futher to this Michelle will have to travel every 3 months to Germany for ongoing check ups. 

This isn’t about luxury or comfort. It’s about time.

If you’re able to donate, share, or support in any way, it truly means more than words can say. Every single contribution brings Michelle closer to more time with her family.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for standing with the Gemmell family. ❤️