Plea to give dying Gemma the wedding of her dreams
An “urgent” alert has been issued to ensure a terminally ill young mum can be married in style.
Gemma Mcgowan will tie the knot with her sweetheart Steven Murie in just four weeks.
The wedding has had to be brought forward from next year as time is sadly running out for 29-year-old vets’ assistant Gemma.
The Express revealed how Gemma, of Hunterhill, Paisley, has a very rare cancer of the nasal cavity and was given just months to live.
She will marry Steven at the Dalmeny Park Hotel on June 11.
Renfrew-based Wedding Wish Makers have now thrown their weight behind the appeal to make the couple’s day special.
And they are determined to make the wedding day simply fabulous.
As well as cash donations, a full list of wedding wishes has been published, from bridesmaids’ dresses to 50 favours.
The charity’s Suzanne Stevenson said: “Gemma and her partner of nine years Steven, planned to be married in 2023.
“However, with the devastating news from doctors that there is nothing more that can be done, the couple have been forced to bring their wedding forward.
“With time not on our side we are making an urgent appeal to raise £3,000 to pay for their wedding venue, marriage licence, wedding rings and other wedding related items they will need.”
Gemma and Steven are parents to baby Arran, now eight months.
She gave birth to him at 32 weeks as surgery was required to remove the tumour.
Gemma was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the nasal cavity in May last year, one of only three cases in the world.
But despite months of treatments, including radiotherapy, immunotherapy and lifechanging surgery in which surgeons had to remove her eye - Gemma and her heartbroken partner were told nothing more could be done.
Gemma’s mum Lorraine Mcgowan previously told how her daughter was fighting with “unbelievable strength and bravery”.
She said: “It has been so hard to watch her go through what she has.
“I don’t know how she has coped, but she has been so strong through it all.”
It was just one month after telling her family she was pregnant that Gemma began experiencing issues with her eye watering.
After visiting the optician,
Gemma was told it was likely a blocked tear duct, and was referred to the ophthalmologist.
After her first appointment was cancelled at the start of the pandemic in March, she was eventually seen and was diagnosed her with a blocked tear duct.
However, Gemma’s condition continued to get worse in the following weeks, with the swelling getting so bad her eye had moved completely to one side.
It was then that doctors ordered scans of her eye and discovered the tumour.
Among Paisley people who have raised money for the family Gemma’s colleagues at Vets for Pets in the town’s Glasgow Road.
If you can help, email Su z a n n e at Info@ weddingwishmakers.org
Here is the full list of wishes for Gemma and Steven’s most important day.
A humanist for an afternoon ceremony
A three- tier cake of lemon, victoria and red velvet, if possible
Kilts - groom, two best men and a little boy
50 favours
Hair - bride, four bridesmaids and mother of bride
Bridesmaid dresses - burnt orange - sizes 16,14,14 and 10
Mother of the Bride - outfit size 14/16
Piper
Car - to take the groom from Paisley to Barrhead
Videographer
Photographer and
Extras such as decor, photo booth or selfie mirror.