Last holiday fundraiser for terminal mother and son

Dee Boyes has incurable stage four cancer, having been diagnosed with breast cancer and liver metastases, and is determined to make one last memory with her 17-year-old son, Jack.

The GoFundMe page has already seen more then £6,800 donated for their "last hurrah" before the "reality and harshness of cancer takes full hold".

"I always wanted to do something special for his 18th birthday, and circumstances have meant I am now unable to work and so funds are limited," said Dee.

"Where we would go? The location is presently irrelevant and although a few places have been mentioned it will depend on how much is raised and how well I am able to travel.

"We would have as much of a wonderful time somewhere in the UK or further afield. It is all about making lasting memories for myself and for my boy, who I will be leaving far too soon.

"There are going to be far too many days that I am going to miss. Him marrying, having grandchildren, celebrations, and simple things such as being there to hold him when he is sad, and it is all to heart-breaking for me to comprehend, but I have had to come to accept it.

"I am just asking for some help for something good, something special that we can share before the reality and harshness of cancer takes full hold."

Dee's fundraiser has already seen more the £6,800 in donations. (Image: Dee Boyes)

Dee was also keen to pay tribute to Jack, continuing: "He is the most wonderful son and I am so privileged to have been his mum.

"He is such a grounded boy, mature, courteous, and with a wicked sense of humour. As his mum I couldn't be prouder of him or believe that I have been fortunate enough to be his mum."

Following Jack's birth in 2005, the family have run into "an unprecedented amount of difficulties" according to Dee, who lost her mum and her partner to a brain tumour in October last year.

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"Jack was born December 2005, and it seems there has been an unprecedented amount of difficulties that have faced us as a family since," she said.

"I had meningitis, and at four he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Then, when he was 11, I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer, and my mum, who I had been a full-time carer for since 2006 passed away.

"Within a month of us having to move into a smaller house, I had meningitis again and reconstruction surgery not long after.

Dee sadly lost her partner to a brain tumour in 2022. (Image: Dee Boyes)

"In April 2022, I was diagnosed with breast cancer again, and on Friday, May 13, I was told I have stage four breast cancer with liver metastases. As the icing on the cake, I lost my partner to a brain tumour in October 2022.

"It's fair to say I've had a lot to contend with, and Jack has had to grow up far earlier than I would have wished and deal with things that if I had the power, I would take away from him in a heartbeat.

"I have so far received three lines of cancer treatment and my liver is being beyond stubborn. My main tumour continues to grow despite treatment, and as of today I am planning my fourth line of chemotherapy.

"Radiotherapy and surgery are not an option for me as I now have too many tumours and removal would only hasten the speed of growth of other tumours.

"I am lucky, in so much that the cancer isn't spreading to other organs or parts of the body, but I have accepted that this is probably what I am expecting next.

"I have accepted my fate. I have stage four cancer which isn't curable, and although often manageable, not in my case. I am terminal and technically receiving palliative care.

"If you can help in any way, I would be so eternally grateful. Even just by sharing it would mean the world to me.

"If we are able to fund an adventure, any left over funds would be donated to a secondary breast cancer charity to help others."

Dee was keen to thank everyone who has donated. (Image: Dee Boyes)