A BRAVE woman who survived a battle with cancer before tragically losing her mum to the same disease has raised thousands of pounds in memory of her mother. 

Jaclyn Johnstone, who overcame cervical cancer seven years ago, was devastated when her much-loved mum Yvonne was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year.

After the news of her mum's diagnosis, the 35-year-old Fancy Farm resident banded together with family members to fundraise for the Eve Appeal, a charity which focuses on improving the early diagnosis of gynaecological cancers. 

READ MORE: Greenock cancer survivor's mum also fighting disease

The family held their first charity event, a ladies day, at the Clyde Suite in Greenock earlier this year and Yvonne was able to come along to join in the fun. 

Jaclyn, her cousin Lynsey McElwee and aunt Jackie McElwee had organised a second ladies day, which was to be held at Rankin Park Bowling Club earlier this month, but Yvonne sadly passed away in August aged just 62.

Despite their devastating loss, the family went ahead with the second event, and have now raised an incredible £5,000, which will be split between the Eve Appeal and Ardgowan Hospice, where Yvonne spent her final days.

Jaclyn, an only child, said: "When she was diagnosed, we never left each other's side. We had a strong bond.

"She loved her family and she made as many memories as possible.

"She could turn her hand to anything - she was good at crafts, knitting, crocheting.

"She didn't drink, but she loved a party and dancing and bowling. She bowled as much as she could."

By the time Yvonne's cancer was diagnosed in June last year, it was already at stage 4, the most serious.

Her niece Lynsey, 31, said: "Ovarian cancer is called the silent killer because there are no obvious symptoms and sometimes it can be mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome.

"Yvonne's cancer had already spread to her spleen and lungs and latterly her spine."

(Image: George Munro)

Jaclyn had to juggle looking after her eight-year-old daughter Caitlin and visiting her mum, but says she was helped by a great support network, which included Lynsey, her aunt Jackie, her partner David and her best friend Gemma Docherty.

Yvonne underwent major surgery and rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy as part of her treatment, but only accepted pain relief when she really needed it.

Jaclyn said: "She went through so much.

"She underwent a hysterectomy, had part of her bowel and spleen removed, then chemotherapy and radiotherapy up at the Beatson but she wasn't able to finish the second session. She was too weak.

(Image: Public)

Yvonne was admitted to Ardgowan Hospice and spent her final five weeks there before she passed away surrounded by her family.

Jaclyn said: "She passed away peacefully.

"We were all there by her bedside but she was a fighter.

"I just said 'I love you' and she passed away.

"Three times we were told to come down to the hospice because we were told she wouldn't make it through the night, then the next day she was sitting up with a cup of tea.

"The staff at the hospice were amazing, you couldn't fault them. We were able to visit her at any time day and night which was a great comfort.

"They went above and beyond for us."

Jaclyn says she decided to donate the money from her family's second ladies day fundraiser to the hospice to thank them for caring for her mum so well.

(Image: George Munro)

She said: "The ladies day was such an emotional day and Lynsey gave a speech which summed my mum up to a tee. It was very personal. There wasn't a dry eye in the room."

Jaclyn, her dad Peter, 63, and all the family are struggling to cope with their loss.

She said: "It's all still very raw.

"They were married for 43 years and he took in balloons and banners to celebrate their anniversary when she was in the hospice.

"I think she would be proud at what we have done, she would have been over the moon but I just miss her so much."

Leonna Gallacher, an Ardgowan Hospice fundraising assistant, said: "We can't thank Jaclyn and her family enough.

"It's an amazing amount to raise and donations like this help us to provide the care and support to help people like Yvonne every single day."