Danielle ‘humbled’ by community response to her cancer diagnosis

A Drumquin woman diagnosed with stomach cancer says she is ‘truly humbled’ after the local community raised £17,000 – and counting – to support her family.

Danielle Donnelly started to experience stomach pain during her pregnancy in June of this year.

She initially put it down to ‘normal pregnancy pain’, but the pains got worse and more frequent as the pregnancy continued.

After giving birth to a baby boy, Jamie, Danielle was concerned that the pain had not receded.

She went to her doctor, who initially thought the soreness may have been caused by either gallstones or a severe bout of acid reflux.

However, this was not the case, and Danielle was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the stomach.

This is a very aggressive form of cancer that forms in glandular tissue surrounding organs that produce fluid.

Danielle then went through surgery to remove the tumour, and three-quarters of her stomach.

However, a fortnight later, Danielle and her family were given the heartbreaking news that the aggressive form of cancer would return.

Danielle is now trying to spend as much time as possible with her fiancé, Darren and the rest of her family in between bouts of chemotherapy at Belfast’s City Hospital.

Danielle is the mother of five children: Edward (17), Shanice (14), Kayla (11), Tiana (2) and 21-week-old baby, Jamie.

‘devastated’

News of Danielle’s diagnosis devastated the local community in Drumquin. So much so, that people locally got together and set up a JustGiving page to raise money so that the Donnelly family can spend as much quality time together as possible. The page has already raised over £17,000.

Speaking to the UH, Danielle has thanked the local community and everybody who has donated to the page.

She described the fundraising effort as ‘amazing and humbling’.

“I would like to thank the people who set up the page from the bottom of my heart for the fantastic support we have received,” said Danielle.

“So many messages of support and donations have come in to the JustGiving page from people far and wide, along with local businesses who have given money to the page. It has been truly heartwarming.

I would also like to thank me an Darren’s families how have been amazing support to us.”

Danielle would like to raise awareness for people to get checked as soon as possible for stomach cancer, which she described as a ‘silent killer’.

“People only get diagnosed with the condition when it is too late,” she stated.

“Doctors connected my initial pain to the pregnancy, then gallstones and acid reflux… but it was stomach cancer. I just want to implore to people the importance of getting an early diagnosis. You know your own body better than anyone, and you can tell if something is not right.

“So, if you are worried about something speak up and get it checked.”

Events have been organised to raise funds for the Donnelly family.

The first of which will take place at the Wolfe Tones GAA Clubrooms on November 18, where there will be a buffet dance.

If you would like to donate to the JustGiving page, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/drumquin-community-fundraising