Paige Lloyd, 28, from Tonge Moor, should have been counting down the final weeks to meeting her baby girl.
Instead, at eight months pregnant, she was undergoing urgent scans and biopsies after doctors discovered a mass pressing on her heart.
On November 21, Paige was diagnosed with thymoma cancer type B3, a condition seen in only about one in a million people.
Describing her daughter as a “miracle sent from above”, Paige explained that as her baby grew, the tumour began to press on her heart, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath.
Because the cancer is so rare, Paige said it is “usually found by accident”, meaning it may not have been detected so soon.
“My daughter was sent to save my life,” she said.
At 37 weeks, on December 3, Paige gave birth to a healthy baby girl called Riven-Leigh, weighing 6lb 3oz, at Wythenshawe Hospital.
She was told that within six weeks of giving birth, she would need to begin chemotherapy, once she had recovered from her C-section.
During what should have been a joyful time celebrating the birth of their daughter, Paige and her fiancé, Richard Mates, 33, saw their lives thrown into turmoil.
Despite this challenging journey, Paige has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for her young daughter.
She said: “The support I’ve had from everyone, including my fiancé and family, has been second to none.”
Richard, Riven-Leigh and Paige (Image: Supplied)
This weekend, on Saturday March 28, Paige is hosting a fundraiser to raise money for The Little Princess Trust.
The Trust provides real-hair wigs to children and young people facing hair loss from cancer or other conditions.
Paige’s older brother, Callum Lloyd, and sister-in-law, Nicole Hallam, have been at the heart of organising the fundraiser.
Walking from Moss Bank Park to Cin Cin in Darwen, Paige wants to raise £2,100 to make three wigs.
She said she has been “gifted with three princesses this year”, her daughter Riven and two nieces, Kemi-Leigh and Nellie-Rae.
In February, Paige also donated 14 inches of her own hair to the Trust after shaving her head, something she found “devastating” after having long blonde hair.
She had hoped to wait until the fundraiser, but due to the aggressive chemotherapy she is undergoing, her hair fell out sooner than expected.
“I had all my close family around me while I did the shave,” Paige said.
Heartbreakingly, four days after shaving her hair, her father was diagnosed with windpipe, liver and bladder cancer.
After deteriorating very quickly, he died peacefully in a hospice in Scotland on March 14.
Richard and Paige on the day she shaved her head (Image: Supplied)
Discussing Saturday’s fundraiser, Paige said: “I think I speak for myself and my family when I say we are beyond grateful for every raffle gift, donation, share and every bit of support.
“Without you guys, this wouldn’t be possible, so I want to say a massive thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“I’m so glad I can make some little princess smile.
“The link is still available to donate, all money goes to The Little Princess Trust.”
To support Paige’s fundraiser, visit https://fundraise.littleprincesses.org.uk/fundraising/paiges-hair-of-hope
Children are welcome on the walk, as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
Over 50 lilac T-shirts have been pre-ordered for the event, with proceeds also going to the Trust.
The walkers will meet at 11:30am, and those not participating in the ramble can meet at Cin Cin at around 3.30pm to greet the walkers.
With a raffle, bouncy castle, refreshments, sweets, a singer and a DJ, it is set to be a wonderful day.
Paige has documented her journey through motherhood and cancer on TikTok (@Paigeleigh54), saying she now has a “real army” cheering her on.
Responding well to the chemotherapy, Paige’s tumour is shrinking, and she is scheduled to complete her final round on May 6.