A YOUNG mum's heartbreaking cancer diagnosis has sparked members of a Greenock martial arts club where she is a member to rally round to help.
Zoe Williams has been diagnosed with high-grade B-Cell mediastinal lymphoma, a rare, aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that develops in the area of the upper chest behind the breastbone.
The 27-year-old is now undergoing an intensive chemotherapy regime, but has also created a TikTok channel to document her journey and help other young women facing similar challenges.
To help her through this difficult time, members of the Clyde Fight Academy in Greenock will participate in a 24-hour sparathon in December.
A GoFundMe page was set up by Zoe's close friend Sara Farrell on Thursday with a target of £3,000 - and within 24 hours had smashed that goal, with £4,305 donated as this article was published.
Writing on the fund-raising page, Sara said: "In October this year my best friend was diagnosed with high grade B-Cell mediastinal lymphoma cancer.
"Zoe had been at the GP during September into October with chest infection symptoms where she was told her chest was clear and sent away with antibiotics multiple times.
"Three weeks after her first visit to the GP, she woke up struggling to breathe and had difficulty even walking.
"This is when she went to hospital, was given an x-ray and her cancer was discovered.
"Zoe was then admitted to an intensive care unit for a week until she was well enough to begin chemotherapy.
"Zoe is on an intensive chemotherapy programme, hooked up for 96 hours, running five days consecutively, and she has six rounds of this to undergo.
"Zoe is 27, and has an amazing wee girl, Charlie, who has just turned one. Before being diagnosed, Zoe was running a successful meal prep and catering company which she is so passionate about.
"Anyone who knows Zoe knows that she has a zest for life like no one else.She is so kind, loving and lights up any room she walks into with her smile, infectious laugh and her bubbly personality.
"The strength and resilience Zoe has shown since her diagnosis is overwhelming.She has been so positive and has created a channel to help other people, especially young woman, going through the same thing, documenting every step of her cancer journey so far, from diagnosis to dealing with her hair loss.
"Having cancer comes at a massive cost, not only on your life in general as well as your health of course, but financially, from being unable to continue her business and still having to support her wee girl, to countless hospital trips and everything in between.
"Zoe is so kind and would help anyone she could in a minute, so if anyone deserves support and kindness through this life changing journey, it’s her.
Clyde Fight Academy, based in Dellingburn Street, is run by Griphouse black belt Ian Gilmartin, and training is open to anyone, regardless of level, from day one beginners to Pro MMA fighters.
To support the fundraiser visit tinyurl.com/clydefightacademyzoe.
For more information about Clyde Fight Academy, take a look at the 'Clyde Fight Academy' page on Facebook.
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