A Dublin woman and her family are "eternally grateful" after fundraising over €27,000 for a vital treatment that may extend her life.
Mary Tobin, from Skerries, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and got the all-clear after going through the "biggest fight of her life" with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Unfortunately, in April 2022 she received the terrible news that she had cancer once again and it was now stage 4.
"Just a few months after I got the all clear I started to have worrying symptoms and was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the pancreas in April," The mum-of-three said. "So not only did I beat breast cancer and get the all clear but now I have a new cancer and a bigger fight stage 4.
Read more: Fundraiser launched for 'destroyed' Dublin coffee shop
Read more: Mum-of-three battling cancer to run Dublin City Marathon in aid of hospice
"You hear them say stage 4 not curable and you think well this is it… there is no stage 5." Mary said that following her diagnosis she decided to "fight to stay alive to create more memories with my family and to see them achieve some of their life goals."
"I really need your help to achieve this, I have my battle gear on and I am ready to take on the biggest battle and fight cancer again but this time I know it won’t be me winning or surviving cancer, it will be me having a few extra years with my beautiful kids, husband and family and friends.
"So this is my story now. I need to raise €50,000 to get treatment that will extend my life and quality of life for a few years."
The treatment Mary is seeking is called called NanoKnife, which generates electrical pulses from carefully-placed probes to permanently damage cancer cells. The treatment is not available in Ireland but the family have found a hospital in Germany that offers it.
Mary's husband Raymond explained that the treatment may improve Mary's quality of life and give her a few extra years with her family. "It would mean that Mary would potentially have no tumour in her body for a period of time and that she could avail of chemotherapy tablets, if it did come back," he said.
"It would also mean that say it came back in 12 months time, she might be physically able to go back on chemo." Ray said that Mary, who will celebrate her 60th birthday next year, was given just a year to live when she was diagnosed in April 2022.
"She is defying the odds," he said. "We've got three adult children and they're at the age now where they've got lots of milestones coming up.
"Our twins had their Debs last year and my eldest lad is graduating next month. Even Halloween and Christmas, they're all milestones that we're wondering will we get to."
Ray said that the family have been left "eternally grateful" after raising over €27,000 of their €50,000 fundraising goal so far. "710 people have donated with donations ranging from €5 to €2,000," he said. "We appreciate absolutely everybody because a fiver to somebody might mean €2,000 to someone else.
"We are eternally grateful. People who couldn't donate also shared the story or sent their good wishes or they're praying for Mary. It's not just about the money.
"To feel that you have over 700 people pulling for you is very powerful. We've had obviously friends and neighbours but I've had people I worked with 20 years ago sending donations.
"For over 700 people to have gone to the trouble of putting in their bank details and donating what they can afford, it's just overwhelming to be honest with you."
Ray said the "huge volume of support" has been a big help to his wife during her battle with cancer. "When Mary got diagnosed with cancer in the pancreas, we felt so lonely in the hospital that day and then driving home to tell our three children," he said.
"It was the loneliest and hardest journey we've ever made. But we see now that we're climbing up this mountain but with this huge volume of support that's helping Mary up the mountain."
Ray added that anyone in a similar circumstance is welcome to reach out to Mary. "For other people, if they want to reach out to Mary if they're in a similar situation, she is happy to talk and see if she can help," he said.
The fundraiser is on GoFundMe for anyone who would like to make a donation or contact the Tobin family.
For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
