Brave Newark teenager Gemma wants to help children at Queens Medical Centre
A teenager with cancer selflessly wants money raised in her name to go to other sufferers.
Gemma Pashley, 16, of Newark, was diagnosed with bone cancer just before Christmas, and is now at the beginning of a gruelling cancer journey.
Friends, family and even total strangers have rallied round to raise money to help the family through their hardship.
The teenager, who attends Toot Hill School in Bingham, said she wanted the money raised to be donated to the ward where she is being treated at the Queen's Medical Centre so other poorly children can have a treat.
Gemma's mum Teresa said her daughter started suffering from constant pain in her knee in August.
"It was there all the time," she said.
"We went to the doctors a few times but it didn't get better."
Gemma was referred to King's Mill Hospital for tests and it was initially though to be tissue damage.
An X-ray showed what looked like a cyst on her knee, but further tests at Birmingham Children's Hospital confirmed on November 22 that she had osteosarcoma, the most common type of cancer that arises in bones.
"It was a huge shock and it happened just after her 16th birthday, it was awful," Teresa said.
Gemma has begun ten gruelling weeks of chemotherapy, which will be followed by a full knee replacement in February and a further ten weeks of chemo when she has recovered from her operation.
She spends several days a week at the QMC having treatment.
Teresa stays with her as much as she can while juggling work and spending time with her husband Matthew and two other children, Daniel, 12, Jenson, 8.
"Luckily I've got really good bosses who are really supportive and the kids' grandmothers have been really helpful getting the lads from school so Matthew can get off to work, but it's been so hard," Teresa said.
"I want to be there for Gemma and I don't want her to be in hospital on her own, so it's just one of those things we have to do."
The plight of other children on the children's cancer ward at QMC has touched the whole family.
Teresa said: "When you see all those poorly children on the ward it's awful, especially the really little ones. It breaks your heart."
This is what prompted Gemma to want money raised in her name to benefit other patients, saying she didn't it herself.
She said: "There's children in there who are spending their whole lives in hospital, and I've still got a chance to live my life."
Gemma's dad Matthew said: "The doctor said that we've got a tough nine months ahead of us, but she's got the right attitude and hasn't let it get to her."
Family friend Michelle Hebblethwaite has set up a fundraising page on Facebook.
Michelle said: "We want to help in any way we can, obviously this is such a difficult time and this money might help make things a little easier for them."
To make a donation to Gemma's appeal, go to the online fundraising page here or contact the Advertiser.
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