Family on a mission to carry on brave mum’s good work
SHE was the amazing mum who brought two miracles into the world.
But, despite never giving up, Janine McMullen lost her battle with cancer at the age of just 45.
Now, the family she leaves behind are determined to make sure their mum’s courageous spirit lives on.
Janine, of High Heaton, Newcastle, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma when she was just 22.
After receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment in a battle to kill off the cancer, medics warned her she could be left infertile.
But despite this, Janine beat the disease and later gave birth to daughters Jordanne and Molly, who are now 20 and 10 respectively.
However, the mum-of-two’s battle was not over and in 2014 she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
After undergoing a mastectomy Ms Janine was given the all-clear, but the cancer returned earlier this year and she died aged 45.
During her life the beautician helped raise awareness and money for Cancer Research UK and now Molly has vowed to carry on her mum’s work.
The Westfield School pupil is working with her grandmother, Sylvia McMullen, to raise money for Stand Up To Cancer.
Sylvia, 73, said: “We had no idea how cancer was going to impact our life.
“I was on holiday with Janine the first time she found a lump in her neck when she was just 22 and that turned out to be cancer.
“Then I was sat with her at the RVI when doctors told her she had cancer for a second time.
“There’s no way to describe what it feels like to hear your daughter being diagnosed with cancer and then to lose her to the disease.
“But everything that came her way she faced head on with such bravery and spirit.”
Stand Up To Cancer was launched in the UK in 2012, as a joint fundraising campaign between Cancer Research UK and Channel 4. The campaign has raised over £38m to fund over 40 clinical trials and research projects. One clinical trial, which is taking place in Newcastle, is attempting to find the best dose of aspirin to prevent cancer in people with a genetic fault. Molly is showing her support for the charity by painting her face with the campaign colours. She said: “I think mum would have enjoyed this and be proud of what we’re doing for her.”
Everything that came her way she face head on with such bravery and spirit Sylvia McMullen