A YOUNG mum who received the devastating news that she had been diagnosed with cancer for a second time says she wants to ‘live and see her daughter grow up’ - and the community are on a fundraising mission to make her dream a reality.

Rachel Garfitt, 28, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2021 when she was just 24 years old.

She said she found a lump in her breast but thanks to the quick diagnosis she was able to beat the disease.

She told the Chronicle that after she miraculously recovered from the disease she thought she had managed to ‘outrun cancer’ - but in January this year, everything changed.

She said: “After a car accident, I began to experience severe back pain.

“While waiting to be seen, I picked up a leaflet listing the symptoms of advanced breast cancer - and I had them all.

“I told my GP, but I was reassured it was ‘probably sciatica’ and sent home.

“The pain became unbearable. I went to A and E, where again, they suspected sciatica. But one doctor, seeing my history, ordered a CT scan just to be safe.

“I’ll never forget the moment the nurse came in and said they would watch my daughter while I was taken to the ‘quiet room’.

“In that instant, I knew. I didn’t need the words.

“But they came anyway when they said ‘it’s not good news, you have a seven-centimetre tumour on your spine and it’s fractured your bone’.

“It was back - and this time, it was stage four.”

Rachel has since been placed on hormone therapy and put into early menopause to cut off the oestrogen that feeds the cancer.

But stage four breast cancer is incurable - and the survival rate is just 31 per cent.

Rachel added: “What’s heartbreaking is that treatments exist - treatments that increase survival to over 57 per cent, with some patients even seeing full remission.

“But they aren’t available through the NHS.

“Or they are reserved for last-hope trials, often when it’s already too late.

“That’s why I’ve turned to a private hospital and a fundraiser has started.

“And while it’s incredibly hard to accept help - honestly, I find it difficult even when someone offers to buy me a coffee - I know this is my only option.

“I’m doing it for one reason - I want to live.

“I want to see my daughter grow up.

“I want to get married, to enjoy the life I’ve worked so hard to build.”

Rebecca Perry, one of Rachel’s friends, has set up a fundraiser to try and help raise the money for her private treatment.

And it’ll culminate in a special music festival event at The New Harborough Hills Social Pub on June 14.

Rebecca said: “Rachel is the kind of person that would help anyone at the drop of a hat and has now been dealt this soul-destroying diagnosis.

“By doing this I hope myself and our community can help raise funds to alleviate some of the financial pressures that come along with the blow she has already been dealt.

“To pull this fundraiser off I need the help of our community.

“I’m asking if any singers, bands or acts would be able to donate a little time and talent for the event and also if anyone is able to donate prizes to raffle off on the night to raise funds.

“As a local Barnsley girl I’m humbled by the support we have received so far and we want to continue to build on this so now I’m reaching out to the wider community for help.

“In some way shape or form cancer has touched and impacted all of us be it through family, friends or directly.

“So let’s all stand together in our support for Rachel and her family.”

Rachel says she’s been humbled by the support - and she’s encouraging everyone to ‘trust their gut’ when they find themselves in similar situations.

She added: “This isn’t just about me.

“We are seeing an alarming rise in cancer diagnoses among young people - what some experts are calling an ‘early-onset cancer epidemic’.

“And yet, time and time again, young people are dismissed.

“They’re told they’re too young, too healthy, that it’s probably nothing.

“We’re not being taken seriously until it’s too late.

“Cancer is only curable if it’s caught early.

“If it spreads, you’re fighting for time - not a cure.

“In 2021, during the pandemic, I was told I didn’t need an appointment, that it could wait, I was young, I was healthy.

“This is my message: trust your gut and advocate for yourself - if you’re not being heard, keep pushing.

“Go to the hospital.

“Demand referrals.

“Because the window for early detection is small - and once it closes, everything changes.”

* Anyone who can help with the fundraiser or who wants to buy tickets should contact Rebecca at rebeccaperry10@yahoo.com.