Fundraiser started for Edinburgh mother of six after she received shock cancer diagnosis

A fundraiser has been set up mother of six who has diagnosed with a rare form of cancer two months ago, which she believed originally was a blood clot

Holly originally thought she might have had a blood clot but it turned out to be a rare form of cancer

A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for an Edinburgh mother of six who's life was changed dramatically after a shock diagnosis of a rare cancer two months ago.

Holly Blake, 35, went to hospital for what she thought was a blood clot but turned out to be a rare form of cancer affecting the tissues that connect and support structures and organs named sarcoma.

A second blow came just a couple of weeks later when doctors found another lump they believed to be a clot, but sadly confirmed that the cancer had spread to other parts of her body and she had a grade four rare sarcoma in her lungs and lymph nodes.

Her family have rallied around her to help care for her six children as she is in hospital undergoing gruelling chemotherapy

“My diagnosis was a total shock,” Holly said, “I’d had a pain in my calf for a while and thought I might have a blood clot. During lockdown the niggle got worse and a visible lump on my calf appeared.

"At the same time I suddenly started getting breathless so when I Googled it and it said ‘pulmonary embolism’, in a panic I called NHS 24. They sent me to A&E to get checked out and started treating me for a blood clot, but when doctors did a routine chest x-ray, it came back full of metastasised cancer.”

She is now praying that the intensive chemotherapy she is undergoing will buy her some more time to spend with her children; Eli, 17, Poppy 14, twins Daisy and Pippa, 10 and her youngest twins Edward and Primrose, two.

Her partner, Niccolas said: “It is heartbreaking, the younger ones have found it hard to understand and keep asking where is their mummy and trying to explain that she isn’t well is so difficult. The older daughters are more aware of what is happening and I can’t even imagine how they’re feeling.

“Because of Covid restrictions in hospital none of the children have been able to see her for the best part of a month, I’ve been able to go in and if I could I would stay there all day but there’s the kids to think about as well.”

Before her diagnosis, Holly and Niccolas were both working, but she has been unable to work and Niccolas has had to give up his job to take on childcare duties.

On Wednesday, Holly’s aunt Christine Langridge began a fundraiser with an aim of £10,000 to be put towards bills, childcare and making special memories with the children in the time that there is left.

Within two days, the funds raised stood at over £6,000.

She wrote: “Holly has overcome many difficult times in her life and has become an inspiration to many people.

“We would really appreciate urgent help in raising much needed funds, to help Holly financially, to give her peace of mind through this dreadful time. Funds are to help with childcare, bills and most importantly to make as many happy memories with her young family.”

Holly said: “We are all trying to stay as positive as we can and make the best of the little time we can see each other right now and also trying to make some plans for days together.

“We want to have a huge birthday party for Edward and Primrose's third birthday in September. I’m very aware it may be the last one I get to spend with them.

"We would love to go to a caravan by the sea side and just make every day count on the days that I’m well enough and also to create some stability for the kids, particularly Primrose who is autistic.”

Niccolas added: “We’re trying to keep a routine for the kids and do as many fun things as possible and trying to keep their minds off the fact that their mum isn’t there and having a lot of family time.

“We’re completely overwhelmed with the fundraiser, we never thought to start one when Holly was diagnosed and she felt the same so it was such a surprise to see her aunt had set one up. Holly being who Holly is you meet her and it is impossible not to like her and everyone has really rallied around her.

“The response has been absolutely overwhelming.”

Those wishing to donate to the fundraiser can do so on the GoFundMe page here.

To encourage donations to the GoFundMe page, several of Holly’s supporters who are involved in the beauty industry have donated products and services to a raffle started by Nikki Lloyd-Proctor, owner of Bold and Gold Piercing Art, for those who send proof of donation to her email address.