‘I battle cancer each day for my children and I want to help others’

Kasia McKinney, 36, who is originally from Poland but now lives here with her husband John and their children Olivia, Jack, Lilly and Charlie, received the devastating news that she had contracted the disease in October last year with the cancer already having spread to her lymph nodes.

“The diagnosis turned our world upside down,” said Kasia. “I had just had Charlie who was just four months old.

“I found a lump in my breast and the next day I was told I had breast cancer and it had spread to my lymph nodes.

“It was like a blur, an out of body experience and I was in denial at first.

“When I was told the news, I couldn’t stop crying and my husband just embraced me. The tears wouldn’t stop and we knew for sure that the hardest time of our lives was just beginning.

“I still feel as though this is not really happening to me, as though I’ve detached myself and just go from one appointment to the next. It’s hard.”

In November last year Kasia had surgery to remove her breast and all her lymph nodes from her left arm.

Before starting chemotherapy she told how her doctors became worried when a low range of white blood cells turned up in a test, promoting further tests for lukaemia.

She said: “I had an MRI of the bone marrow and blood tests to check for lukaemia. It felt like another nightmare, worrying and scared that I would not be able to even start the chemotherapy. Your bloods have to be right before you start treatment.

“The unknown and waiting for the results was the worst. I have had really bad anxiety and no matter how much I tried to stay positive - the worst thoughts always flooded my mind.

“My head was in overdrive, worrying for my family. I was hardly eating, I couldn’t shake it off. It was a very stressful time.

“But thankfully the results were negative.”

Kasia started chemotherapy in December and has to complete six cycles which she will finish at the end of this month before facing three weeks of daily radiotherapy and then hormone treatment for the next five to ten years.

“I didn’t know what to expect of chemo. The first one was quite tough. I was very sick, very nauseous. It sets you back about a week each time. You have so many pains and aches, general fatigue and tiredness.

“Over two weeks after my first chemo my hair started to come out. I cried. When your hair is coming out every time you touch it it is so distressing. After a few days I made a decision to have it shaved off at the hairdressers and that made me feel in control and happy.

“John had to take care of the children and we had help with family and friends, but when the Cancer Fund for Children offered us help we grabbed it with both hands.”

The organisation, for which Kasia has to date raised an astonishing £7,489 through her Go Fund Me page, offers respite care for children affected by cancer.

Its vision is that every young person, aged 0-24 years old, diagnosed with cancer or living with a parent diagnosed with the disease, and their families will receive the support they need both during and after treatment so that no family has to face cancer alone.

The charity has given Kasia’s children space away from the stresses of day-to-day life to play, make friends, have fun and learn how to express their feelings.

It offers a variety of services for children of all ages and is hugely reliant on fundraising efforts in order to stay operational.

“I was worried about my children because they are my priority. I get up every day because of them,” says Kasia. “I was worried about how they would cope with me being ill. Cancer Fund for Children arranged to take our eldest daughter Olivia out for a chat and play and through that she can express her feelings about everything that’s going on.

“The charity also have a facility called Narnia in Newcastle, Co Down, where children can stay for respite for weekends with other children in their age bracket. They can go to the beach, do archery, art, play games, watch movies - it’s amazing.

“Jack has been on one trip and has more to go on.

“The six of us went to Daisy Lodge which is a family facility where you can relax and forget about chemo and hospital appointments.

“Cancer Fund for Children are just outstanding in the way they have helped us and we wanted to raise money for them because they only get around £2,000 from government to maintain their services every year, meaning they have to raise around £2.5m annually to stay open.”

Kasia’s husband John is adamant that the services the charity offers are invaluable, particularly for disadvantaged children with parents undergoing cancer treatment. “When we were down there at Daisy Lodge we saw a family who really didn’t have much. And I saw for myself what being there meant to this young boy, how his wee face lit up. Losing the opportunity for play and respite for these children - God knows where they would be. That’s why we wanted to raise money for this fantastic charity that really helps children and brings light into their lives.”

“People are so generous over here,” says Kasia, who has been stunned by the amount she has raised to date. “I’ve been blown away by the response and how much we’ve raised but we intend to keep going and do more. I never do things by halves!”

The couple have planned a series of further fundraising activities including a Mourne Mountain walk, an Easter egg hunt, entering teams in the Belfast marathon, a golf day and over the summer, a football tournament for children. Next year they are planning a Strictly Come Dancing style competition with the help of friends.

Kasia remains upbeat despite her continuing treatment and explains how her husband takes her out on Saturday date nights before she has her chemo sessions, which has proved a tonic for both of them. The duo are resolutely positive in their outlook - and it’s inspiring to witness.

“We’ve actually had some cracking nights. We aren’t letting cancer defeat us, we’re living life and carrying on as normal,” says John.

Kasia adds with determination and chutzpah: “I still have hard days ahead but I know I can beat this.”

To donate to Kasia’s fundraising effort for the Cancer Fund for Children visit www.gofundme.com/f/kasia039s-campaign-for-the-cancer-fund.

For more information on the Cancer Fund for Children and the work it does here in Northern Ireland visit cancerfundforchildren.com/.