The family of a mum who died aged just 48 years old earlier this year have managed to raise an eye-watering amount of money in her name.
Catherine Gokcen, from Southport, died on June 3 after battling a rare form of cancer since 2019. Initially, she was diagnosed with triple-negative primary breast cancer in the autumn of 2019 and had a single mastectomy, lymph node clearance and chemotherapy.
Catherine was given the all-clear in April 2020, but 14 months later, she went back to the doctor after noticing that her legs were going numb. The second diagnosis revealed that the secondary, stage four metastatic cancer had spread to her spine, liver, hip and chest.
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Following the second diagnosis, Catherine was rushed into emergency surgery at the Walton Centre, which removed the tumours from her back to stop her from becoming paralysed. She then underwent three different types of chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy.
However, treatment options were limited, owing to Catherine’s primary cancer being a rare form. Catherine had begun treatment via a new, life-extending drug called Trodelvy in April. Catherine died at home on June 3, surrounded by family.
Now, Catherine's husband, Neil, daughter, Eve, and son, Tom, presented a check for £75,859 to Sir Kenny Dalglish and his wife Marina Dalglish to go towards the Larks at the Marina Dalglish Appeal which helps women with breast cancer. The money had been raised through a number of events held by the family over a number of months.
A number of family and friends even took part in a skydive on October 8, the weekend which would have seen Catherine turn 49. Neil, Eve and Tom Gokcen said: “On Saturday we proudly presented our Skydive for Catherine cheque, on behalf of our whole skydive group.
"The amount raised is phenomenal. Our £50,000 target has been well and truly smashed. Thank you to Marina and Kenny, for all of their support in raising money for Larks at the Marina Dalglish Appeal.
"The past few months have been far from easy, for many reasons, but Saturday was a truly special day and something we’ll never forget. We launched this fundraiser in May when Catherine was here with us. She’d be prouder than words could say, and the Larks was so, so important to her.
“Catherine very sadly passed away in June and is an inspiration to many who knew her personally or have heard her story. Over 1,000 people have been involved in this fundraiser, in some way or other. It’s just incredible. There’s been over 650 donors on our Just Giving page, and it doesn’t stop there."
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