A LOCAL mother fighting stage four cancer has become the focus of a major fundraising campaign to access life-saving treatment abroad.
Pamela (Pam) Stephens told the ‘Herald she is ‘not ready to give up’, after her family launched an appeal to fund specialist treatment in Turkey.
That appeal has already raised over £60,000, at the time of going to press.
To donate, please use the QR code provided, which will direct you to the GoFundMe page.
Telling her story
Pam, who is a mother of three and grandmother of two, with another grandchild due soon, has been battling ovarian cancer for the past 15 months.
Recently, she received the devastating news that her illness has progressed to stage four and has spread to her liver and brain.
After exhausting all available options locally, the family has turned to a specialist cancer hospital in Istanbul, where doctors have offered a plan that could give Pamela ‘a fighting chance’.
Pam, who lives in Enniskillen but is originally from Trillick, said she is ‘blown away by the generosity’ of the local community after the launch of the Go Fund Me page.
“I truly can’t thank people enough for their incredible generosity. It’s given me such a huge boost and reminded me how much good there is around me,” she said.
“I’m a fighter and extremely determined to keep going and not give up.
“Everyone’s donations are going to help so much and we’re just blown away by the amount of love we have received. Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts.”
‘Mum is the strongest’
Describing Pam, her daughter, Toni-Louise said, “My mum is the strongest, kindest, most selfless person I have ever known.
“She’s the type of person who would do absolutely anything for anyone, no matter how big or small, and now she needs our help.
“She’s been given the opportunity to receive life-saving treatment abroad, and she is determined to keep fighting with everything she has.
“I am so unbelievably proud of how far she has already come and the strength she shows every single day. She never gives up, and that gives all of us hope.”
She added, “To me, she is not just my mum, she is my world, my inspiration, and truly the best mum anyone could ever ask for.
“I love her more than words can ever express.
“Every single donation, no matter how small, would mean so much to us and will help cover the cost of her treatment.”
Every little helps
Highlighting her determination, her sister Erica recalled how Pam told her doctor, “You have given up on me, but I am not ready to give up. This is my life and I still have so much to live for.”
“Watching her fight this illness with such bravery and strength has been heartbreaking and inspiring all at once,” she said.
“She has a beautiful heart and a very strong faith.
“We have all relied heavily on prayer to get through this time, and we feel God has answered our prayers by steering her towards this hospital and giving her the strength to go.
“She’s the best daughter, the kindest sister, the coolest aunt, the most thoughtful, caring friend, and a light in so many people’s lives.
“She is kind, loving, and has always put others before herself. If you have met her, you love her.
“In her long career in hairdressing, she has been more than a stylist, she has been a true friend, a great listener and adviser, always willing to help others in any way she can.”
“Pam has been involved in raising money for numerous charities for as long as I can remember,” she said.
“Who could forget all those fashion shows she single-handedly organised over the years, where we all thought we were supermodels and had the best times?
“She is a person sent here to help others, and she feels she has so much more to give.”