Thousands of pounds raised for Worthing mum-of-four with breast cancer

A Worthing mother-of-four was left lost for words after thousands of pounds were raised to help her through cancer treatment.
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Serena Russo, 49, discovered a lump in her breast last year and had several operations to remove a tumour and her right breast in June.

Doctors advised her the cancer had spread to her lymphnodes and she should start a gruelling course of chemotherapy – but it was not guaranteed to work.

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“It was frightening to discover, especially after what happened to my mother,” said Serena, whose mum died of breast cancer.

Serena Russo SUS-200408-111532001Serena Russo SUS-200408-111532001
Serena Russo SUS-200408-111532001

“You feel your life has changed, maybe forever. You’ve lost your health. I feel healthy, strong and good, but unfortunately I’m not. It’s very strange.”

With a two-year-old daughter and husband working full time, Serena could ill-afford to go through debilitating treatment, but a test to see if it was necessary cost £1,400.

Her friend, Onelia Giarratano, stepped in to start a fundraiser that has raised more than £2,000.

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“She is the most positive, lovely, bubbly woman you could possibly meet,” said Onelia.

“She’s a true friend who deserves everything good in life – a wonderful person.

“She’s never asked for anything – when I offered her the money outright she said ‘I could not even think of accepting that’.”

Serena said friends had offered her all the money but ‘everyone has problems and families’ so she could not accept it in good conscience.

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But more than 60 kind souls have now donated. allowing her to take the test to see if she needs chemotherapy. She hopes to get the results before treatment starts on August 13.

“This has made me realise how much people love me and how many wanted to help me,” she said. “It’s incredible, beautiful, wonderful – it’s hard to explain what I feel.”

To donate, visit: uk.gofundme.com/f/serenas-fight-against-cancer

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