Rachel Burns, a young mother from Northern Ireland, recently celebrated her daughter Raeya’s first birthday under the shadow of devastating news: she had been diagnosed with an advanced-stage brain tumor. At just 22 years old, Rachel was told she had a rare and aggressive mutation that left her with a prognosis of only four months to live.
Rachel’s journey began with persistent dizziness and eye irritation, symptoms that led her to seek medical advice. The diagnosis that followed shattered her world. “I left that appointment with no real hope and I didn’t know how to tell my mum and the rest of the family, I didn’t want them to get upset. It felt like everything had just been taken away from me at that point,” Rachel told Belfast Live. Faced with the prospect of missing countless milestones in her daughter’s life, Rachel started writing birthday cards for Raeya’s future birthdays.
Despite the bleak prognosis, Rachel and her partner refused to give up. They learned about an experimental treatment called ONC201, available in Germany. This treatment, discovered within the last decade, targets the gene encoding tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in tumors. By inducing the expression of this gene, ONC201 aims to cause tumor cells to undergo programmed cell death, potentially extending Rachel’s life significantly.
Understanding the urgency and the financial burden of the treatment, Rachel and her partner launched a GoFundMe campaign. The community’s response was overwhelming. Within just 24 hours, the fundraiser had accumulated £30,000, and within six days, donations continued to pour in, reaching £48,000 of their £60,000 goal. “I spoke with the doctor yesterday and now we are able to start making plans to go over,” Rachel shared, her voice filled with newfound hope.
The support from the community has been a beacon of light during this dark time for Rachel. “Belfast is such a small place but you never think that people from all over would show as much kindness as they have done for me and my family. It is a scary time to be going through all of this but this has given me more hope that I can spend some more time with my family,” she said. The generosity of strangers has provided her with more than just financial assistance; it has given her the strength to fight for her life.
Rachel’s gratitude to those who have supported her is immense. “I just want to say thank you to every single person who has donated so far, you don’t know the difference it has made to me and my family.” The funds raised will cover the costs of traveling to Germany and undergoing the experimental treatment, offering Rachel a chance to extend her time with her beloved daughter and family.
The story of Rachel Burns is one of resilience, community, and the unwavering human spirit. It highlights the power of collective goodwill in the face of life’s most daunting challenges. As Rachel prepares to embark on her journey to Germany, the love and support from her community will travel with her, fueling her fight against the disease.
For those moved by Rachel’s story and wishing to contribute, donations can be made on their GoFundMe page. Every contribution brings Rachel one step closer to potentially life-saving treatment and the chance to witness more of her daughter’s precious moments.
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