Fundraiser ongoing for young Waterford mum fighting cancer following birth of second child

A GoFundMe campaign is ongoing for a young mum of two from Waterford City who is facing a battle against cancer, which she was diagnosed with just six weeks after the birth of her second child.

The fundraising campaign was set up by Gavin Daniels, in support of his wife, Yvonne, who is battling Stage 4, colorectal cancer.

The couple live in Ballygunner but Gavin is originally from Barrack Street while Yvonne is from the Hillview area of the city.

Speaking to Waterford News & Star, Gavin said that Yvonne was given a poor prognosis and advised to try chemotherapy, however, that treatment has not proved successful.

The day we spoke to Gavin, Yvonne's blood results were not good and the medication she was taking was being stopped because it wasn't working.

"I'm not sure what comes next to be honest," said Gavin.

However, the couple went for a private consultation to the Mater Hospital in Dublin and the consultant there was of the view there are other treatments that can be tried that might prove beneficial.

"There is a new tablet that looks promising and we were given options about possible treatment in Germany as well," said Gavin.

"We left UHW thinking that was it but now in the last week or so we've found out a bit more about what's out there and it's broadened our horizons a bit," he added.

Gavin said speaking with other cancer patients also helped and provided him and Yvonne with valuable information.

"Our options here in Ireland are now very limited but we have discovered available treatments in Germany, some of which have shown great promise and potential," said Gavin.

In one particular case they are aware of a person benefited enormously from a certain treatment he received in Germany.

"Some patients went into remission and other saw a dramatic lessening of the disease and symptoms," said Gavin.

However, the treatment is expensive and as outlined on the GoFundMe page the cost of it is out of reach financially for the couple. That's why the fundraiser was set up and it's received a favourable response from the public - which is very much appreciated by Gavin and Yvonne.

In August last year, Yvonne was given three to six months to live and while there has been a partial response to some of the chemotherapy treatments the ongoing and hoped for sustained benefit of the treatment didn't materialise as everyone hoped.

"Our goal is to keep Yvonne with us to see her two beautiful babies grow up," said Gavin.

The goal target of the fundraiser is €80,000 which will be used to fund treatment, travel and cover the costs of having to take time off work which obviously creates reduced income.

To access the fundraiser and make a donation go to gofundme/f/yvonnes-treatment-abroad.