A close friend of an Airdrie mum battling cancer for the third time has organised a fundraiser in the hope of paying off her mortgage and provide a forever home for her two children.
Having previously fought it in 2017, Kelly McFadyen was dealt the ultimate blow back in 2019 when medics discovered her squamous cell carsanoma - a very rare anal canal cancer - had returned.
Last year, Kelly was then told she had developed terminal cancer of the pelvis, a slow growing tumour that is progressively eating away at the nerves in her leg.
The 39-year-old grandmother is in constant pain, uncomfortable and undergoing daily treatment at St Andrew's Hospice in the town in her bid to prolong her life.
But, despite the gruelling pain, medication and chemotherapy sessions over the last year, single mum Kelly has continued her fight with a huge smile on her face and a positive attitude.
That has seen her raise thousands of pounds for the charities that have helped her most during her battle.
That includes raising over £4000 for St Andrew's Hospice, £2300 for Beatson Cancer Charity and £140 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
She also dedicates spending as much time as she can with her 20-year-old daughter Erin, her five-year-old son Shay, and her 18-month-old granddaughter, Rhea.
Now close pal Andrew Cunningham, of Airdrie, has decided it's time for Kelly to take a step back.
That has seen him set up a Crowdfunding page to raise £20,000 to help pay off her mortgage and provide a forever home for Erin, Shay and Rhea.
Kelly told Lanarkshire Live : "I was first diagnosed with cancer in October 2017.
"I had to have my anal canal taken away and stitched up, and part of my buttock cut out and stoma fitted. I went through all the treatment and rang the bell signalling the all clear in May 2018.
"Just over a year later though, I was diagnosed again and literally overnight had my fertility taken from me in a huge operation where my internal reproductive organs (the ovaries, womb, cervix and vagina) were removed.
"Now I have been diagnosed with a further spreading cancer that is slowly eating away at my legs.
"The last five years have been awful and at one point I had to learn to walk all over again. My sister had to nurse me and I was in hospital for around seven weeks undergoing treatment.
"It was horrific."
Kelly, who worked for Parks Motor Company, is now undergoing her end-of-life treatment, but is determined to fight her battle to the bitter end and hopes the fundraiser will see her children and granddaughter comfortable in their family home after she has gone.
She continued: "I've had five years of pain and fighting a battle, both with the cancer and of course during Covid, with constant appointments and treatments being delayed or cancelled.
"It's been one fight after another, but now all I can do is smile and fight each day as it comes for my family.
"I have worked all my days to provide for them and pay my bills, so when Andrew suggested a fundraiser I was embarrassed by the whole thing to be honest.
"But people have been so kind and overwhelmingly willing to help for the sake of my kids - I really am grateful to everyone who has donated and to Andrew too for setting it all up.
"It would be a huge weight off my mind if I knew the kids had a home set up for the rest of their days.
"I really would be at peace then."
Anyone who wishes to donate can do so by visiting Kelly's fundraising page online.
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