A moving photograph of an Australian single mum who is battling breast cancer has given a poignant insight into one woman’s exhausting battle against the disease.
Brisbane-based Angela is pictured asleep on a bed next to her twin daughters in the black and white image.
The photo – which New Idea was given permission to publish – was shared by friend Kirsten Ryan.
‘Our gorgeous friend Angela has been going through a hell of a time for a long time now, however of late it has been become even more challenging for her, Kirsten, a friend of 11 years, wrote on a GoFundMe page set up for the family.
‘The last three years has seen this amazing woman go through challenges that most of us won’t in a lifetime.’
A marriage breakdown, followed by a divorce pushed the young mother ‘to the wall emotionally and financially’, her friend said.
‘However her unconditional love for her gorgeous young twin girls and her determination of being a role model to them, saw her rise above all that she was put through.’
Kirsten said that her friend had been getting things back together when she received the news, in August last year, that she had breast cancer.
‘Ange then went through six grueling months of chemotherapy. Since her diagnosis, every single day has been a struggle for Ange,’ she wrote.
‘She has and is going through this as a single mother, with little help and no financial support for either her or the girls.
‘Ange has depleted all of her annual, sick and long service leave from having to take time off to deal with the cancer as well as recover after each treatment.
‘Things have been so dire for Ange there have been times when she has had her cancer treatment and then had no other option than to go straight back to work.’
Last month Angela underwent surgery in a bid to beat cancer and Kirsten said the procedure had gone ‘well’.
At the time of writing, friends and strangers had raised more than $14,000 to help with the family’s everyday expenses.
‘Ange has asked that I pass on her most heartfelt thanks and that she is absolutely blown away by the level of generosity and all the well wishes she has received,’ Kirsten said.
‘It has all had a very positive effect on her, and she feels truly blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family, and she would also like to thank the complete strangers who upon being made aware of her plight have so kindly donated.’
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