Supporting Andrea's answer to Cancer

Andrea Killeen (my mum) - 54 years old.

Was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in her lungs and bones.

Sponsor my mum's skydive!

Thank you for choosing to take an interest in my appeal to support my amazing mum. I am one of her two children who she raised as a single mum whilst fighting cancer, inevitably we all suffered in different ways because of this awful disease; emotionally it's been tough on us all but it's also been significantly financially challenging - it's limited my mum's ability to work and occupied my own and my brothers lives, obviously our mum's health has taken priority in our minds and hearts and we have had to put her first both being her registered carer for the majority of our lives and struggling to find our place in a world where we are anticipating the decline of and loss of our mother and only parent.

My mum has defied the odds in many ways, always maintaining a positive mindset and seeking alternative therapies and treatments to keep her alive as long as possible, by declining medical interference and treatment after some negative effects from traditional treatment offered (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) such as difficulty digesting food and paralysed vocal cords to name a few.

I remember the consultant sat in front of me in 2019 when they told me she had 6 months to live, my mum's attitude was astounding and brave she agreed to try some traditional treatments but after experiencing sickness, loss of ability to digest food and more struggles she decided to take the independent path of alternative remedies, she has participated in St Lukes Hospice complementary therapies such as music and art activities which helped boost her happiness but these have come to an end, she has been trying to fund Oxygen therapy treatment but as a single mum with a limited capability to work in the cost of living crisis this has put my mum in a place between deciding between paying for bills and food or treatment.

My view is that no one with cancer should be more stressed about money than their health, and in the low-ebs and waves of depression that come with living with a terminal illness, we have noticed there is very little support out there. I have decided to take action and not be afraid to ask for help.

My mum has always been the most generous person with her time, money and kind heart - offering reduced rate therapy for people in need and mentoring aspiring actors as this is her main passion in life, so there are a few things I want to do with the funds raised to enhance my mum's life whilst we still have her around.

The money raised will be used to:

My mum has a couple of things on her 'bucket list' that she'd LOVE to achieve before her time is up. Consisting of a skydive and publishing her book/play inspired by her life.

I have decided I shouldn't sit and cry about how I can't afford to help her achieve these things myself and should instead be brave and reach out, I am hoping the generosity and support of friends and the people of society will pull us through this increasingly difficult time.

I am planning to hold a charity event with a variety of acts and I am going to pack bags in supermarkets to raise funds to make this possible.

Please accept my thanks and love in return, and stay tuned if you'd like to come and support Andrea's skydive event for her birthday in June.

Grace x