RALLYING ROUND FOR MAISY
Big fundraising drive and support from ‘special community’ after devastating cancer diagnosis weeks after girl’s 10th birthday: Page 3
AN “amazing little girl” who went to her doctor with stomach pains was given the devastating news that she had cancer.
Maisy Fitzmaurice, from Amlwch in Anglesey, was given the diagnosis just weeks after her 10th birthday.
After complaining of stomach pains, which were initially assumed to be hormonal, Maisy was taken to see her doctor.
Following further tests, she was sent straight to Ysbyty Gwynedd for a CT scan, which discovered a mass on her ovaries.
She was diagnosed with cancerous ovarian germ cell tumours, which are understood to have spread to other parts of her body, although it’s not clear how advanced the cancer is at this point.
Her dad, Tony Fitzmaurice, 37, said that he and his wife Emma were “devastated” to get the news.
“It’s hard to explain how you feel when you’re given that kind of news,” he said.
“It’s like having your heart ripped out. We’re just taking every day as it comes for now.
“Maisy is being incredibly brave, braver than anybody else. She’s really smiley and happy at the moment.
“She is the most amazing little
girl you could meet. She’s just high on life.
“She’s always singing and dancing and doing cartwheels everywhere, and she’s a crazy Little Mix fan. Some people have suggested we try and get them to send a message to her.
“It would be a dream come true for her.”
Maisy was due to have the mass removed in an operation at Alder Hey this week, before she begins chemotherapy treatment.
Following the diagnosis, friends and family have raised more than £4,000 through a GoFundMe page to help the family cover unexpected costs throughout Maisy’s treatment.
Mr Fitzmaurice, who is manager of Amlwch Town Ladies FC, said: “Amlwch has always been a special community, but this week they’ve really shown just how special it is.
“We’re all overwhelmed by the support we’ve had from everyone in the community.”
The hashtag #teammaisy has also been created to support the 10-year-old throughout her treatment and to come up with fundraising ideas over the coming weeks.
As well as her uncle Paul Fitzmaurice organising a charity walk up Snowdon on Saturday, April 27, the Amlwch Town Ladies football team have also pledged to walk more than 72 miles from Ysbyty Gwynedd to Alder Hey to raise further funds.
In a post published on Facebook following a charity football match held by his team, Mr Fitzmaurice, wrote: “#teammaisy would like to say a massive thank you to everyone for absolutely everything.
“We are overwhelmed by the support, generosity and love we have received over the past few manic days.
“Maisy has personally said thank you and that everyone being nice makes her happy and feel better.”
● In a show of support, Ysgol Gynradd Amlwch friends and teachers, who have raised £600 for Maisy since her diagnosis, created a special video for the 10-year-old.
Dressed in blue, their favourite football shirts and #teammaisy tops, the school filmed pupils wishing her well ahead of her treatment.
Headteacher Bethan Jones said: “As a school, we would like to wish Maisy well.
“Our thoughts are also with her family and we would like them to know that we are all thinking about them.”
In a post published on Facebook, Mr Fitzmaurice said the video had broken his heart and brought tears to his eyes.