A HEARTBROKEN family are setting up a charity in memory of their Irish mother who died of ovarian cancer last year.
Carmel Kennedy, 55, passed away last March after a lengthy battle with the deadly disease.
This month her children and husband are gearing up to hold a family fun day in her name – and also plan on setting up a charity in her memory.
“Mum would do anything for anyone and this is one of the reasons we want to set up the charity to give to children who need support and help, as that's what Mum would have done if she was still here,” said Cara Johnson, Carmel’s daughter.
Carmel’s nightmare began in 2010, when she went to the doctor after feeling unwell.
Like many women, her ovarian cancer was misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Had her diagnosis come earlier, she may still be alive today.
“Mum was misdiagnosed and it was eight months before they realised what was actually wrong with her,” said Cara. “Those eight months would have been crucial for her treatment.”
A daughter of a Tipperary man and a Meath woman, Carmel married John Kennedy – whose roots lie in Portmagee in Co. Kerry.
Carmel with her grandson AceThe couple were well-known among the Irish community in Hertfordshire, where they made their home. Carmel and John went on to have four children – Jody, Cara, Casey and James.
Amid their grief, the Kennedys have decided they want to help prevent the misdiagnosis of ovarian cancer for future sufferers by raising awareness of the disease.
After a harrowing few years, the family will devote 2015 to raising much-needed funds for ovarian cancer research as well as establishing their new charity.
“We want to raise money for sick children who might need treatment that needs to be paid for, a family trip or experience,” explained Cara. “It’s exactly what Mum would have wanted.”
A family fun day will take place in Hertfordshire at the end of March and - as Carmel was a loving mother and grandmother – with all funds raised being donated to the nationwide Target Ovarian Cancer charity.
“Mum was an amazing mother, she was so selfless and was always there to reassure us and make us feel better,” Cara recalls. “She was the most incredible nanny too. She doted on all her grandchildren, they adored her and miss her so much.”
“The main thing we want to do is to raise awareness that the test can be done,” she added, “that things can be done to check the ovaries sooner when someone has these symptoms.”
The Family Fun Day in Memory of Carmel Kennedy will take place at Sir John Lawes School in Hertfordshire on March 29, from 12 to 3pm, where there will be information on ovarian cancer available, as well as a raffle, stalls and activities for all ages.
All funds will go to Target Ovarian Cancer - donations can also be made on the Just Giving page Remembering Carmel Kennedy.
Ovarian Cancer: The facts
- Around 7,100 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Britain each year.
- It's the fifth most common cancer among women and most common in women who have been through the menopause, although it can affect women of any age.
- As the symptoms of ovarian cancer can be similar to those of other conditions, it can be difficult to recognise – but there are early symptoms to look out for, such as persistent bloating, pain in the pelvis and lower stomach and difficulty eating.
- It's important to see your GP if you experience these symptoms, particularly over a long period of time.
- Overall 72 out of every 100 women will live for at least one year after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
- Around 46 out of 100 will live for at least five years and about 35 out of 100 will live for at least 10 years.
See More: Charity, Featured, Ovarian Cancer
