Mum of three diagnosed with stage 4 cancer 'blown away' by support from public

A mum of three diagnosed with stage 4 cancer is "blown away" by the support she received from the public after her friends set up a fundraiser to help her.

Laura Casserly, from Leixlip, Kildare, was diagnosed with sarcoma-ups in 2021, a rare type of cancer. Recently, she was told the cancer was "now stage 4" and the treatment plan now aims to "prolong her life". 

To help Laura focusing on making memories with her family, her friend, Faye Byrne set up a fundraiser.

"Laura is a 36-year-old mum of three young children, Lily, Kooper and Lottie. Originally from Leixlip, Co Kildare, her, Keith and their beautiful Family all now live in Enfield Co Meath. In February 2021 when her youngest daughter was only 10months old Laura had scans done on a lump in her leg. On Easter Sunday 2021 Laura was diagnosed with Sarcoma-UPS. At this stage Laura and Keith were told her cancer was stage 2B and still treatable, she underwent 5 weeks of radiation and then had a resection of her calf to remove the lump. Laura had to learn to walk again during gruelling rehabilitation for 12 weeks," explained Faye on a GoFundMe campaign.

In October 2021, further tests showed Laura's cancer had spread.

"Laura had pain in her knee and further tests showed the cancer had returned and spread into her Lymph Nodes and both of her lungs. At this stage Laura was given the devastating news her cancer was now stage 4 and the treatment plan had gone from curing the cancer to prolonging her life."

She was given six months of intense chemotherapy and then had her leg amputated in June 2023. 

"In another blow on November 8, the doctors found a three cm Lymph node Lump in the top of Laura's leg. She was given a Chemotherapy Pill to take and this had no effect on the cancer and unfortunately on the 26th November Laura was rushed to A&E for emergency Chemo as the cancer was progressing rapidly and the treatment she was on wasn't working. Laura's lung tumour has now grown from 3cm to 5cm and the doctors have decided more radiation is the best course of action. This is made all the more difficult as last time Laura had radiation her dad was there to support her through every step, but unfortunately he passed away suddenly a few weeks ago."

To help the family with the financial stress of Laura's illness, her friend set up the fundraiser. 

"Keith had to leave full-time work to help look after Laura and the children, and no one should have to just survive when you are just trying to survive! At this stage, we are hoping to raise money to make Laura and Keith as comfortable as possible so they can focus on making memories for their beautiful young family for when Laura is no longer there."

In a note thanking those who helped, Laura said: "To say the last few days has been overwhelming is an understatement myself, Keith and both our families are completely blown away by the amount of support that we have been given. I'm finding such comfort in knowing that my story has touched so many people in some way or another. Alongside that I am receiving some heartfelt messages of encouragement to keep going which has put a huge smile on my face. We now hope to start making some lifelong memories with our young family, and all of you have enabled us to do that with your kindness and generosity. I will forever be in your debt, and thank you just isn't enough, but just know that I'm so grateful for each and every one of you."