Donations and words of support have been flooding in for an Irish mum living in Australia after she was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer.
Last week, the 35 year-old Susan Ricken received the “devastating” diagnosis after collapsing at home while putting her two young children to bed.
The cancer has spread to her pelvis, ovaries, lymph nodes, and lungs.
The Cork woman and her husband John Paul emigrated to Perth in 2011 and the pair have two young children, two-year-old Leo and seven-month-old baby Kate.
A friend of the family created a GoFundMe page for Susan in a bid to raise funds “to give Susan time”.
Over $77,000 has been raised so far with hundreds of donations flooding in from Ireland and Australia.
Grainne O’Riordan met Susan through a group for Irish mums living in Australia and described her as “a quiet soul with a heart of gold.”
“The funds raised will go towards Rent assistance, general household bills and to help Susan in her life choices in the coming months,” she said.
The fundraiser will also help in covering the costs of flying Susan’s Irish family out to be by her side.
She added that “like many of us here in Perth, Susan and John Paul don’t have their immediate family here in Australia to lean on for support therefore making this journey even more difficult.
“I’m pleading with anyone and everyone who can help them financially. To support them in the coming weeks and lend a little comfort to them, in their darkest days.
“Susan is fighting for time and John Paul will need to be by his wife’s side. Her two babies are her world. If this money will do anything, it will definitely ease the burden of the bigger world for them. Let’s lend a helping hand in supporting them in the coming months.”
