Help us save Shirley's life

Hi, my name is Mandy, I created this fundraiser for my friend Shirley who has been through so much first, with the loss of her son, Jared, six years ago in a motorbike accident, and she's now fighting for her life with cancer. Shirley is one of the kindest, most positive people I know, and I know with the help of friends and family, we can help her beat this. I'm based in the UK and unable to set up a SA Go Fund Me from there, so the currency is in pounds which will be converted and sent over in ZAR.

This is her story told by her daughter Bianca...

Mid August 2022, my mom started complaining of severe migraines, dizziness and slurred speech. After being misdiagnosed with vertigo by a doctor, she decided to leave the matter. Fast forward a month, and my mom is told to be taken immediately to the emergency room at Panorama Hospital. The neurologist delivers the news that she has a brain tumour and that surgery would be imminent. The migraines and the dizziness were due to the immense swelling in my mom's brain.

On 12 September 2022, the tumour was removed and found to be cancerous upon further testing. Another GP got involved to see if this was brain cancer or cancer that spread to the brain. Sadly, my mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lunge Cancer with Brain Mets.

The diagnosis was an incredible shock for my entire family. Within the space of two months, all our lives changed forever. We knew the next step would be to take care of my mom while she healed from her brain surgery. We also spoke to an oncologist about the possible options. At that point, chemotherapy and radiation in combination was the recommended treatment. Not only did my mom not want to endure chemotherapy, but we also did not have the funds.

My mom is unemployed and not on medical aid; the medical bills have cost just under R300 000. My mom is still suffering severely from headaches and dizziness. She cannot live a day without feeling like she needs to sit down or lay down to feel better. For someone trying to fight this cancer fight, it’s incredibly disheartening to feel like you can’t even fight because you feel so awful. A positive mind is everything.

Recently, my mom has had the opportunity to get a second opinion from an oncologist. She still has swelling on the brain, and the oncologist says that he can see on her scans that radiation would be necessary. At this point, my mom will do anything to relieve the headaches and dizziness, so she can continue fighting as she so desperately wants to do.

The total cost for the radiation, as well as the oncologist fee is R59,662.22. Unfortunately, we do not have any more funds to contribute to my mom's medical bills, and it kills me to be unable to help her.

I am pleading to ANYONE and EVERYONE who can help. With even the tiniest donation, you will allow my mom to fight for her life. There are still mountains and challenges ahead in dealing with Stage 4 Lung Cancer, but we trust with a strong mind, my mom can overcome anything.

Thank you for taking the time to read my mom's story and I hope that if anyone is going through the same thing, they find peace in the happy times.