Help buy extra time for mum with incurable cancer
Businesswoman Kate McIver, 30, thought she was clear but the cancer came back
David HolmesChief reporter
Kind-hearted souls are rallying round to raise funds for a young mum with incurable cancer.
Kate McIver, 30, who lives in Aldford, near Chester , wants to spend as much time as possible with her loved ones including husband Chris and their precious three-year-old daughter Lucia.
That's why an online Just Giving page 'For Kate' has been set up to raise £20,000 for crucial therapies that will assist with healing and pain management – an amazing £15,257 has already been raised.
The former Hawarden resident, whose beauty business was previously based in Hoole , was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 just months after marrying her beloved partner Chris.
Following four operations and months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she was elated after being told last year the cancer had gone.
Kate McIver
Fast forward to 2018, exactly two years since her diagnosis and she has been given the devastating news the cancer has returned in an incurable form.
Sister-in-law Harriet Johnstone, who set up the Just Giving page , wrote: "Kate is beginning urgent NHS treatment to manage the tumours, now in areas of her bones. Whilst we will do everything that we can, there are a number of additional options available to Kate such as Gerson therapy, infrared and oxygen treatments, alkaline water, weekly vitamin and mineral IVs, as well as the potential of new, advanced treatments not available on the NHS.
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"All of this will assist with bone healing and pain management, as well as supporting the success of Kate's medical treatment.
"These additional, but extremely crucial treatments are costly and this is where we ask for your help, by way of donation, however great or small to help us get Kate the extra time she deserves to spend with the people she loves.
Kate McIver with her daughter Lucia.
"We can't thank you enough for your support and generosity. Anything at all will be appreciated from the depth of our hearts. We will also be looking at sponsored activities and other ways to be involved in raising the money for the things that Kate so badly needs."
In an update added two days ago, Harriet said: "With the money raised so far, Kate has been able to purchase an infrared sauna for her home, fund a Gerson therapy diet, paid for oxygen therapy sessions and arranged a meeting with a private oncologist overseas in regards to potential stem cell treatment. Nothing will stop Kate, or us. Thank you all for your support and please continue your efforts in sharing Kate's story. For Kate x ."
Kate is tired and scared but has sent this message to her supporters: "I feel like I've got an army behind me. It's actually so emotional but in such an empowering, lovely way."
If you'd like to know more or can help in anyway, please email forkatemciver@outlook.com.
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Kate was too ill to talk to The Chronicle but gave permission for her story to be told.
She previously recalled feeling constantly tired in the lead-up to her marriage to her partner Chris.
This was initially put down to the stress of planning the perfect ceremony, but Kate later discovered a lump in her left breast.
Kate visited the doctor who told her it was most likely a cyst or a problem with a milk duct.
However, after returning to the clinic and being referred for a mammogram and a scan, she found out the devastating truth.
Kate was told she was suffering from an aggressive form of breast cancer.
The then 28-year-old was distraught to discover the cancer was at stage 3 and 'widespread', with 'lots of little tumours' in her body.
She underwent a full mastectomy – just two days after celebrating Christmas with Chris and their young daughter before embarking on intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Kate is sharing her story to raise awareness of breast cancer in young women.
"Breast cancer under 30 does actually happen," she said in 2017. "I never checked my breasts before any of this happened. A lot of friends have said that to me, too. There needs to be more focus on it."
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer can include a lump in the breast, a change in size or shape, a change in skin texture, an inverted nipple, a pain in the breast or armpit, a discharge from the nipple, or a rash on or around the nipple.
Aldford