Irish mum diagnosed with terminal cancer launches appeal for experimental treatment

An Irish mum-of-two recently diagnosed with terminal cancer is appealing for help to be admitted to an experimental treatment in the USA.

Vicky Phelan, who lives with her husband Jim and their two children, 12-year-old Amelia and Darragh, 7, was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in July 2014. The 43-year-old underwent an aggressive form of radiation and chemotherapy - and was eventually given the all-clear. She had been cancer free for nearly three years, until a routine scan in November 2017 revealed that the cancer had returned. In a post on her GoFundMe page, Vicky explained that a large mass of lymph nodes attached to her aorta - which is inoperable - had been discovered. She continued:

"Because I have already received the maximum dose of radiation, I cannot have more radiation. "And so,  my oncologists are only offering me palliative treatment. "I have been given 12 months at the most with chemotherapy treatment and 6 months without treatment."

The mum-of-two added that she "simply do[es] not accept this prognosis", and that she is trying to do everything she can to keep going. She said:

"I am researching clinical trials and alternative treatments and juicing, supplementing and following a strict alkaline diet at the moment to try to stop my cancer from spreading while I wait to be accepted onto a suitable trial. "At the moment, I am waiting to find out if I will be accepted onto the following clinical trial in Maryland, USA: US Clinical Trial Info. "This trial is my best chance of surviving. If I get accepted, I will be hoping to fly to the States in March."

Vicky and her family have started a GoFundMe to raise money for the treatment, as well as the associated costs. In seven days, it has so far received more than €84,000. She told Independent.ie that the support that she and her family have gotten has been "incredibly encouraging". She added:

"People are so good, they really are. I was so surprised that we raised as much money as we have so far. "It feels like I have so much support. I've even had Irish people in America, who I don't know, offer to put me up and drive me to the clinic when I'm in Maryland. "Cancer touches every family. I know that many people don't have the opportunity that I have right now and I want to do everything I can to fight this."

If you want to donate to Vicky's GoFundMe, you can do so here.